Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 207 Location: Orlando, Florida
Get Mono Twice? Posted: 04-12-04 07:20am
I had mono when I was 14 (12 years ago).
I recently got sick and went to the doctor
and because of some of my symptoms, was
sent to have a mono test. Is it possible
to get mono twice in a life time? I was
always under the impression that it was
kind of like chicken pox and once you got
it you didn't get it again. Am I wrong?
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redrose
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 47
Mono Posted: 04-12-04 07:35am
It is very rare, but it is possible to get
it a second time. Same with chicken pox.
Rare, but some people do get it a second
time, but usually the second time is not
as bad because the immune system does put
up some kind of response. Some people
just have immune systems that don't quite
establish complete immunity the first
time. A good example is I have been
immunized twice with the hepatitist b
vaccine because I work with human blood
and body fluids in the lab so am
considered "at risk", but still, when they
test my blood for antibodies angainst hep
b, I am completely negative, as if I were
never immunized
i had mono myself when I was 16. That
was awful! I hope you don't have it
again! You might ask for an epstein-barr
virus test too as they frequently go
hand-in-hand and have similar symptoms.
But epstein-barr may have long term
effects like increasing your chances of
developing other problems like
non-hodgkins lymphoma (a blood cancer that
is easily treatable if caught early).
Good luck and hope you feel better soon!
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DanielFS
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 3
Posted: 05-08-04 02:54am
Mononucleosis is normally caused by the
epstein-barr virus. Much more rarely,
however, a cytomegalovirus can give
similar symptoms - this would also explain
how someone could get mono twice - my
hunch is this is a bit more common than
not developing immunity, since you by
definition need an immune response to
fight the infection in the first place.
Information on ebv and cmv both causing
mono can be found at these links:
I'm wondering floridagirl, did you ever
come down with mono again, and if so how
bad was it?
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Forum Girl
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 207 Location: Orlando, Florida
All Clear Posted: 06-07-04 17:28pm
Nope didn't have mono again thank god. I
really didn't think I did - I wasn't
feeling that sick (like I did when I had
it the first time). All I ended up
having was pink eye and a sore throat.
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chicotprincess
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Texas
Getting Mono Twice Posted: 06-25-04 14:48pm
I had mono when I was 7 yrs. Old. I
missed 3 weeks of school. I am now 30 and
just found out that I have mono again!!
The blood test came back positive for
mono, for the second time! I didnt think
that you could have mono twice. This is
horrible. How could I get mono twice??
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cindydeeder
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 1 Location: MI
Mono Twice Posted: 04-17-07 22:57pm
I had mono in my senior year of high
school and now have tested positive for
mono once again 7 years later. It is a
lot worse this time. I think it may be
worse b/c I am older now.
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Coleyleigh
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Ames, IA
It's Possible! Posted: 06-10-07 19:09pm
I had mono my first time when I was 15
years old. The first time only lasted a
couple weeks (I know, I was lucky) and I
just felt tired and had a sore throat.
The second time I had a positive mono test
was when I was 20. This time it presented
as an awful awful sore throat (looked like
the worst strep throat I had ever seen,
huge gaping white patches), and every inch
of lymphatic tissue in my throat/neck area
was swollen to its fullest. I began to
urinate blood, which is what tipped me off
this was more than a cold and I went in to
the doctor. The mono had caused my liver
to not function properly (the blood in my
urine) and the doctor put me on prednisone
to try to help with all the swelling in my
neck. I couldn't breathe out of my nose
for 11 days due to the swelling (felt like
the worst stuffy nose of my life). I
missed a week of college and work. I
almost had to admit myself to the hospital
because my throat almost closed up. I was
in utter heck.... I wouldn't wish what I
went through on my enemy. eventually the
steroids finally reduced some of the
swelling and within about two weeks I
finally improved steadily. I sure hope
it's impossible to get it a third time....
I can't take anything worse than the stuff
I went through the second time....
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klf22
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 2
Posted: 10-07-07 09:33am
Has anyone had mono THREE times. My poor
wife has had it once as a teenager,
another last year (whihc we thought was
impossible) and now she has been diagnosed
again!! What the............could this be
something different, other than mono but
with all the same symptoms...
It is heart wrenching to see her go
through this and she has asked me to try
nad try to find some answers!!!
Thanks!
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vfarwell
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 2
Mono 3 Times? Posted: 10-11-07 14:34pm
Well, I'm wondering...I had mono when I
was 6 and it was awful. About 8 or 9
years ago, I was really tired and worn
down, and my doctor ran some tests. My
liver enzymes were elevated, my white
blood cell count was way down, and my EBV
test was positive. She said she couldn't
say for sure if it was mono or if the
reading came from my infection as a child.
Well, last week, I was officially
diagnosed with mono, and it has been
absolutely miserable! I didn't believe
them at first b/c I thought you could only
get it once. I have a 12 week old baby,
so it's really hard. I'm thinking of
making an appointment with an infectious
disease specialist about this b/c it just
seems so weird. I hope your wife feels
better. Today may be the first day I
don't run fever in a week. I've never
wished anything had been the flu so badly!
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Plum28
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 1
Getting Mono Three Times? Posted: 11-06-07 14:02pm
Hi, I'm new to the forum. I've had Mono 2
times in my past. Once at 17, which was
not a severe case and the second that
nearly killed me. The second time was
much worse and I was 23. My liver counts
were sky high, had a fever for 6 weeks of
103.5F consistently, broke out in hives,
was severly itchy from the liver being out
of wack, slept at least 18 hours a day and
was continuously nauseated and/or
vomiting. Missed a whole 6 weeks from
college. My doctor put me in the hospital
for one day, but released me seeing that
my liver counts were just borderline to
stay there. But the reason for me
writing today is that for the last 5 days
I feel like I have mono again. All the
same symptoms all over again. I am going
today to get the mono spot test to see if
I do have it again. What are the chances
of getting it three times? Anyone else
with the same problem?
K
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Recca135
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA
Posted: 11-16-07 18:12pm
Right now I am 15, and I had mono in
kindergarden and again in the 7th grade.
Right now, I am in high school and it is
going around big time. I know 2 people out
with it right now. What has been worrying
me is that I have been gaving cold
symptoms. A sore throat, a little runny
nose. What really got me worried was that
when I came home frmo school today, I
slept for 3 hours, and I am still tired. I
have been going to bed about 8 at night,
waking up at 6 for school, sometimes
sleeping in some of my classes, then
taking about 2-3 hour naps after school. I
asked my mom if I could have it a third
time and she said it is possible. I have
been tested before, and my body is still
not immune to mono.
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Nortisan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 1
Posted: 11-26-07 02:19am
Hey...Just joined because...well...I'm
kinda worried that my symptoms are mono
again!
I had mono for the first time when I was 2
(yes two). And again last year (at age 18
) around this time of year (I missed
thankgiving, and had to quit college)
I've been sick for about 2 weeks now, but
only full blown for about a week. I've not
been too worried about itm since everyone
in my house had similar symptoms, as well
as many friends, coworkers, etc. So I
figured I just had the same bug that's
been going around...But I've recently been
noticing that 1) I've gotten it a lot
worse than everyone else around me, and 2)
I also have a lot more symptons than
everyone else.
I really hope I don't have mono AGAIN!
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mbn2008
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 1
Yes, You Can Posted: 12-21-07 13:39pm
Hi- Yes, you can infect get mono twice. I
read that 6% do. I had it at age 17, and
was recently re-diagnosed with it at age
26. I had been tested in between this
time (last year) and it was negative.
Therefore, you may be like me- one of the
lucky 6%. Uggh.
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lgrossie
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 1
Mono Posted: 01-19-08 11:21am
I've have mono three times...all in high
school! In 9th, 11th and 12th grades.
The 1st time I had really bad tonsilitis
(sp?) and they ended up water picking my
tonsils...that time I had sharp pains from
my spleen and days spent laying on the
couch crying in pain. I lost 15 lbs and
only weighed 85 when I went back to
school.
The 2nd time I had canker sores EVERYWHERE
in my mouth. The roof, under my tongue,
cheeks, gums, everywhere. Same pains from
my spleen, sore throat, misery...eating
anything with a grain of salt in it was
painful.
3rd time...not so bad...just really tired.
In fact, the doc said that time it could
possibly have been a hangover from the
last year, like I never fully recovered
from it. Mono sucks! I get people that
tell me all the time they think it's
bogus...HA! Have it and then tell me
that!
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bbbuttonz05
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1
IVE HAD MONO TWICE!! Posted: 04-29-08 20:09pm
i got mono when i was 15. im now 17 and i
have it AGAIN. my immune system has been
very weak since i had it before and when i
get sick i stay sick for MONTHS. mono
stays in your body the rest of your life.
blood tests cant tell if you have it or
not. i got checked to see if my spleen was
enlarged. but from what i understand its
not contagious.
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katiescom
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Iowa
I've had mono twice Posted: 08-21-08 13:30pm
I had mono the summer I graduated high
school, when I was 18. I can still
remember the horrible sore throat that I
had!!
I was just dignosed with mono again! I am
40 now. My symptoms are different this
time. High fevers off and on for 2 weeks,
body aches, fatigue. No sore throats. I
went to the ER and was told that I had
something called 'viral syndrome'. I still
wasn't feeling well after 2 days so I went
to see my own Dr. They did some more blood
work, and and said that I have mono. I was
surprised and shocked when the Dr. told me
this!!
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hollywood21
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 1
Mono Twice Posted: 08-28-08 15:46pm
The more I research into whether or not
it's possible to get Mono twice, the more
it is very possible. Many websites are
saying that it's very rare, but looking
into forums it almost seems that more than
"6%" of mono patients have relapses.
I am going to get an EBV test again today,
I had mono when I was 20. It lasted about
3.5 months and I don't ever want to go
through it again. I'm now 22 and the same
deathly sore throat is back and I'm
falling asleep at random points in the
day.
