Mononucleosis Forum - Mono and the EBV virus

Conditions and Diseases > Mononucleosis Forum > Mono and the EBV virus

Is mononucleosis bacterial or viral? Does everyone get mono at some time? How does mono spread? Basic facts and definitions about "the kissing disease". ...

Q: Mono and the EBV virus

asked by: DoctorQuestion on April 7th, 2008

My roommate and his girlfriend both had mono, he started showing symptoms in mid-February and is feeling better, she was a couple weeks after him. I think they both are feeling better but it has been less than 2 months, so I am sure they still carry it.

Last night they made a cake, and I didn't see them make it but I definitely saw her scraping icing with her finger and licking it and repeating that... I witnessed this after I had eaten a piece... so now I am VERY worried that it could have been passed to me through the cake.

I've heard that the virus can't live on surfaces outside the body for very long. Should I really be worried about this cake thing? Or is it just when you kiss someone?

How soon could I be tested if there is a high risk of being infected now?

And how long should I be really careful around them and people they've surely come into close contact with? I've heard 6 months to a year??

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on April 11th, 2008

Mononucleosis Answer A3921

The virus (EBV) is present in the saliva so it can be transmitted by kissing, sharing the same drink , or using the same eating tool in the same time with the infected person. This means you need close contact with the infected person’s saliva. In a situation like you’ve described, transmission is possible if the cake’s icing is contaminated with fresh saliva. Basically, mono can’t be transmitted through food or water because the EBV virus can’t stay alive for long outside the body.

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Mononucleosis , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

This question has been answered by the doctor. This topic is now open for public discussion, however no comments below this point will be answered by a doctor.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc