Epstein Barr Contagious?
Checking understanding on whether Epstein Barr is contagious: My mother in law was just diagnosed with Epstein Barr. I have 2 small children and want to have a clear understanding on whether they would be at risk for contracting the disease or Mono. from her during visits.
Thank you for your help!
LC
Epstein-Barr / Mononucleosis?
Hi LC,
I'm not sure what you mean by your mother in law being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr? Does it mean that she has Mononucleosis? Or does it mean that she has had a blood test that showed the Epstein-Barr virus in her blood?
Many people carry the Epstein-Barr virus without knowing it. You might even have it yourself. It is a contagious virus but it is not dangerous.
If your children haven't already had Mononucleosis, then they are at risk of catching the Epstein-Barr virus which will cause Mononucleosis. But you might not even notice if they get an outbreak of Mononucleosis. The symptoms of Mononucleosis in children can be very mild and flu like and not as bad as in teenagers who may have to stay in bed for weeks or months.
If you are worried you should talk to a doctor.
Regard,
iv
glandular fever
hi, i was diagnosed with glandular fever about 1 month ago. most of my symptoms are gone. im pretty sure i caught the disease from my girlfriend. is it ok to kiss her again now? or will i be at risk of having a relapse of the virus? will she also be at risk? thanks.
You only get Glandular Fever once
Hi,
Usually you only get glandular fever also known as Mononucleosis once in a lifetime. Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. There is no cure for Epstein-Barr, but your body's immune defence system will keep it latent after Mononucleosis and you will have no more outbreaks. Other people can stil catch the virus from you, but chances are that they already have it, so you shouldn't worry about it.
Because the virus is already in your body, you can't catch it again and kissing your girlfriend will not cause a relapse for any of you. You should both be quite safe from any more Mononucleosis for the rest of your lives.
Regards,
iv
relapse
Hi, i was first diagnosed with glandula fever around 8 months ago and i was bed bound for around 6-8 weeks. i am now attending university and have been a little stressed lately trying to keep up with the demand of uni, work all whilst keeping up appearances with friends. i have recently (last 2 days )noticed that i have swollen neck glands but thought this may have resulted from a small dry-cough i have had for the last 2 weeks and also i have been drained of energy that seems like it is not satisfied by any amount of sleep.
is it possible that i am suffering a relapse of the condition from stress, life style etc and are those around me at risk (girl friend particularly) at this time?
thanks,
steve
Best see a Doctor
Hi Steve, and welcome!
It does sound likely doesn't it? If you are of teenage years (even just out of your teens) then it might very well be worth paying a visit to the doctor. Glandular fever (mononucleosis) is so much worse in adolecents and it would be a great shame to pass it on to your girlfriend.
Unfortunately, if you have it, she's very likely to get it also, but it wont hurt to take some precautions. See the uni nurse/doctor and if you have time, please come back and tell us what happened?
All the best
Jack
Glandular
hi,
i've had Glandular fever symptoms for about a month. i'm not sure if i got it off my girlfriend cause she doesn't know if she's ever had it. She's in uni as well and i just wanna know if it's safe to kiss her or when it should be safe. i really don't wanna give it to her and she doesn't really wanna get it. if someone could please help me out, that'd be great
Risk of Catching Glandular Fever
I understand your anxiety about passing on Glandular Fever, also known as Mononucleosis.
Your girlfriend should see a doctor to determine if she's had Mononucleosis already. This will probably be by means of a blood test. If she has had Mononucleosis, she is quite safe, the virus is already in her body, but will remain latent and kissing you will not be a problem.
I would say that it is quite likely that she has already had Mononucleosis if she hasn't developed any symptoms like yours. Mononucleosis is also contagious before an outbreak and I take it that you did kiss her before you started getting the symptoms. This means that she has already been at risk of catching Mononucleosis but as she didn't, she is probably safe.
Do make your girlfriend see a doctor rather than trusting my opinion, though.
Regards,
iv
worried about glandular fever
Hi, I have just started at university and our course ran an initiation ceremony last week. one task involved passing cider directly from mouth to mouth. it was pretty quick and i didn't swallow any but the girl in front of me then said that she had had glandular fever. i was obviously a bit alarmed and asked how long ago but she said that it was out of her system. obviously i really don't want to get this virus or pass it onto my boyfriend - what should i do i am really worried and its getting me down.
Thanks for your time,
Anon
Glandular Fever
Hi,
I can understand why you are worried and there is a chance that you have caught glandular fever (Mononucleosis) from this girl. Have you ever had it? Many people have it in childhood without diagnosis because the symptoms are very mild and flu like at this early age. You only get it once because the virus that causes it, Epstein-Barr, stays in your body for life as there is no cure (but luckily anti bodies keeps it latent, so don't worry).
Glandular fever is mostly contagious just before the outbreak. If you had oral contact with someone who just had it or is just recovering from it, the chances of you catching it are quite slim. Talk to your doctor if you are worried, although he or she will probably just tell you to wait and see.
Read more about glandular fever / Mononucleosis here.
Regards,
iv
A friend has just had an outb
A friend has just had an outbreak of glandular fever, is she contagious at the moment? I know not to share drinks or cutlery but is there anything else that can pass it on, apart from saliva-related?
thanks.
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