Mononucleosis: Is it Contagious?

Posted April 21st, 2004 by jack

Mononucleosis

Yes, Mononucleosis is contagious. Mononucleosis is caused by
the Epstein-barr virus which is part of the Herpes group of viruses and transmits
via saliva. This means that you can get it via kissing, sharing food,
drink etc with some one who has the Epstein-Barr virus in their body.
Mononucleosis is mostly contagious in the incubation period which lasts
10 - 60 days and has no symptoms but it is also contagious when
Mononucleosis is full-blown and a couple of months afterwards.

Why does Mononucleosis mostly affect teenagers?

Mononucleosis is mostly seen in teenagers because they get the worst
symptoms. When experienced in childhood, the symptoms of Mononucleosis
are very mild and resemble flu so it is usually not diagnosed.

Once you've had Mononucleosis, you are immune to it. This is because
the Epstein-Barr virus does not leave your body once you've got it
but the antibodies that your body produced to fight Mononucleosis
will stay with you making sure you don't get it
again. You can still give the Epstein-Barr virus to other people after
Mononucleosis but the risk is very low outside the illness period.

There is not much you can do to prevent catching or spreading the
Epstein-Barr virus. It is of course advisable to follow general hygiene
rules such as washing your hands regularly, do not share food or drink.
Needless to say, it is difficult to stop teenagers from kissing which is
a major source of Mononucleosis transmission. You can from time to time
see epidemics of Mononucleosis at schools. Luckily it rarely
has any serious complications and it is a one-off illness.

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