16 yr old son has mono, leaving in 4 weeks

[bdcp]

Everyone is different. My sister had it when she was 16 (1984) and basically slept most of the summer. I know others that have had it and were only really affected for 2-4 weeks. My other sister and I never had it.

I have a friend who had it at 35, but she didn't have "time" to sleep so she just took a couple of weeks off and then came back to work full time. It took her a little longer to recover, but she did.

 

[ccgirl]

I know you already have plenty of replies but I thought I would pipe in.

When I was 16 I had mono. I felt a little sick at the beginning, but was well enough to still go to school. Suddenly, it hit me full force (after about 10 days). I missed 2 1/2 months of school, was in the hospital, was on steriods and percocet. It was insane. You need to rest. I don't think he should get a scooter or GAC. Instead, I'd suggest staying in the resort room until he is feeling better. Plus, it is very catchy - you might not want to expose him to the other families.

On a brighter note, a friend had it that same year and missed a few days of school.

So it depends on the person and severity, but I just wanted to share my experience.

Wow...I wan't aware it was so easily transmitted. In that case, I would keep him home if you are flying. Those close quarters on the plane with others could spell disaster for someone else's trip (or worse).

From The Mayo Clinic:
Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the kissing disease. The virus that causes mono is transmitted through saliva, so you can get it through kissing, but you can also be exposed through a cough or sneeze, or by sharing a glass or food utensil with someone who has mono. However, mononucleosis isn't as contagious as some infections, such as the common cold.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[mackay_j]

my DD was just diagnosed 2 days ago, infact she is on the mend already (ill for 11/2 weeks before diag). All I can add is deff no rides we are due to go on hols in 6 weeks and the doc has stated hols OK as long as no activity due to spleen issues. So the planed water park is out!
Also want to add that until over the most infectious time then should not be exposing this to others. In my case my dd has had to stay completely away from me. All her washing etc has to be done by my dh, her cutlery/crockery has to be sterolised as I am on an immunosupresent/chemo drugs and mono could be very serious for me. So for that reason I deff would not expose others either on a flight or at disney until past the worst. I know for OP that you will OK be as its 4 weeks away - but adding for any others reading this post. I have also read that virus load may still be shed for up to 18 months but at a lesser level.

Good luck to the OP -no easy way oiut of this one as the rides will be out for him.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I too had Mono as a teen and missed 2 months of school and it really took a good 6 months until i was feeling myself again and not so tired. That same year a boy in our school got mono and got deathly ill as he developed Guillian Barre syndrom with it and still has effects from that, so it can be quite serious. It can effect each person differently so hopefully he has a milder case and is back to himself soon.

My concern is how contagious Mono is...........he should stay away from others.

I would really consider not travelling with him if he is not better due to it being contagious and he wont enjoy himself.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Thanks for all the replies. Good info. We won't be cancelling. He will either go, ride or not ride, depending on spleen, or stay home with grandparents. All depends on how he does.

Ok, am I not the only one that finds this very cold. This child could end up very sick. I know plans are made and involve other people but this is your sick child we are talking about!!! Many people do not get how dangerous momo can be if the speen gets really effected. I hope your child has a light case and is well enough to enjoy some of the trip.

TALK TALK TALK to the doctor. Ask very specific questions about travel and rides and getting bumped in crowds and energy levels etc.

 

[amberdburke]

I got Mono last year in October. It took a good 9 months for be to be back to normal. A relatively easy day of running errands would put me down on the couch for a day.

However, from what I understand, once your symptoms begin, your contagious period is already over.

However, if you do decide to take him, he will probably need a wheelchair because he just won't have the strength to make it all the way through the day.

 

[Dopey420]

Ok, am I not the only one that finds this very cold. This child could end up very sick. I know plans are made and involve other people but this is your sick child we are talking about!!! Many people do not get how dangerous momo can be if the speen gets really effected. I hope your child has a light case and is well enough to enjoy some of the trip.

TALK TALK TALK to the doctor. Ask very specific questions about travel and rides and getting bumped in crowds and energy levels etc.

He is 16 years old, he is a big boy. He is also a team player, and he would not want to go if he was going to be too sick, and certainly wouldn't want us to cancel, since we have 3 families going!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

In August of 1991 I had the worst case of Mono my doctors ever saw. My throat swelled shut and my kidneys almost shut down, I was in the hospital for 5 days living off an IV because I couldn't even swallow water and had a fever over 104.

Two weeks after I got out, I was a new student assistant at my college helping students move in over Labor Day weekend. That entire semester I was in bed early every night, but I was back in time for school to start and nobody else in my dorm got Mono.

In a few weeks he could feel much better, but still be very tired. If you go- just take it easy, relax, take lots of naps in Ellen's Energy Adventure and The Hall of Presidents!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

He is 16 years old, he is a big boy. He is also a team player, and he would not want to go if he was going to be too sick, and certainly wouldn't want us to cancel, since we have 3 families going!

just make sure you do a double check with your doctor before you leave. it doesn't matter if you're 16 or 40--mono will knock you down. i had it at 23, i was living alone--very independent, and 5 weeks pay at 60% was no walk in the park--but it wasn't my choice--i could not go to work, and could barely get to the grocery store or up to do a load of laundry.

he may be a team player, but he may also not want to disappoint you since you seem very adament about going--please don't take that the wrong way--just how your words are being read. please also understand how serious this can be. it doesn't matter how many families are going--this is your son's health.

i have taken a trip against doctors orders before--and i ended up staying in the room the majority of the trip. it was only me and my fiance so we took it easy when we went out--but it was pretty miserable, and it takes getting there to know that you've made a huge mistake. just make sure you check with the doctor and take his advice. good luck, and i hope he feels better soon!

 

[Dopey420]

I think some of you are missing the point. I'm not taking him if he is still sick and will need to stay in the room or is still infectious (which he won't be.) He will stay home with grandparents in that case. He may be disappointed, but he travels a lot, and he will get over it. He has already skiied Tahoe and been to summer camp (where he got the mono) this year, so he is fine.

He would not want us to cancel if he could not go. He understands that he is not a special, unique snowflake, he is a member of a family/community and his illness shouldn't stop everyone else's vacation.

 

[mackay_j]

He would not want us to cancel if he could not go. He understands that he is not a special, unique snowflake, he is a member of a family/community and his illness shouldn't stop everyone else's vacation
you did say 16 not 26 ????? We canceled our planed mexico trip because my 17yr was ill - as far as I am concerned because she is special and unique and I would not want to have my family holiday without her, and I deff would not want to leave her behind ill. I am starting to think that this thread is just a wind up.

You asked what he could do and most have said not much due to spleen rupture risk - don't know why you asked as it's obviously not going to have any bearing on what you end up doing. Good luck to your boy hope he is well enough to at least enjoy sitting about the pool area and going out for diner.

 

[ccgirl]

I think some of you are missing the point. I'm not taking him if he is still sick and will need to stay in the room or is still infectious (which he won't be.) He will stay home with grandparents in that case. He may be disappointed, but he travels a lot, and he will get over it. He has already skiied Tahoe and been to summer camp (where he got the mono) this year, so he is fine.

He would not want us to cancel if he could not go. He understands that he is not a special, unique snowflake, he is a member of a family/community and his illness shouldn't stop everyone else's vacation.

How do you know he would no longer be contagious? I wasn't sure how long mono was contagious or what it really was. I never got it thank God (after reading how it affected some people). But, according to my research:

Doctors and researchers aren't exactly sure how long someone with mono stays contagious after symptoms are gone. But it's generally believed that a person can spread the infection for many months after the symptoms are completely gone — some studies show as long as 18 months. But after that, it's very unlikely that a person will give someone else mono.

and

Answering the big question about how long you are contagious is tricky because doctors and researchers aren't exactly sure. You can spread the infection for the entire time you have symptoms and probably for a few months after your symptoms are completely gone. It may be a good idea not to share that ice cream soda for about 6 months.

So, I would either make plans to reschedule (which I know you said you didn't want to do) or leave him at home. There are too many people on the plane and at WDW that could have compromised immune system, such as the previous poster with cancer, that I wouldn't chance passing on such a severe illness to them. YMMV. Good luck with your decision either way.

 

[keishashadow]

Title says it all. Doctor has said no school for 2 weeks. The way he feels now there is no way he could go. Anyone have experience with mono? Doctor says a month until he feels well. I would be willing to get him a scooter and a GAC.

i assume he'll be going back for a check up before he's released to return to school, it's the policy in our district with contagious diseases. If not, i'd make sure he's rechecked anyway....at that time ask the dr if he's fit to visit theme park/fly, etc. If dr doesn't sign off then he shouldn't travel period!

i've had 2 sons come down @ different times w/mono. Once bounced back in a few weeks, the other wound up with strep throat & mrsa in cleat mark injury on his leg. Specialists said the mono probably was caught in locker room/sports environment and everything snowballed, but your DSs immunity will be weakened from the mono. Not sure i'd want to expose 'him' to germs in a large population. If he does travel, perhaps a mask would be best for all involved.

good luck

 

[Dopey420]

He would not want us to cancel if he could not go. He understands that he is not a special, unique snowflake, he is a member of a family/community and his illness shouldn't stop everyone else's vacation
you did say 16 not 26 ????? We canceled our planed mexico trip because my 17yr was ill - as far as I am concerned because she is special and unique and I would not want to have my family holiday without her, and I deff would not want to leave her behind ill. I am starting to think that this thread is just a wind up.

You asked what he could do and most have said not much due to spleen rupture risk - don't know why you asked as it's obviously not going to have any bearing on what you end up doing. Good luck to your boy hope he is well enough to at least enjoy sitting about the pool area and going out for diner.

I did not ask what he could do, I asked for other people's experience with mono. If he is still too sick or contagious, he has a perfectly safe place to stay, near his doctor, with his grandparents. He is not critically ill, he has mono.

 

[seashoreCM]

He should not feel bad about being left home because it is very likely he would not be strong (non-tired) enough to enjoy much of anything if he went.

Meanwhile you should try hard not to cancel the vacation (all those change fees) for everybody else.

 

[ccgirl]

I did not ask what he could do, I asked for other people's experience with mono. If he is still too sick or contagious, he has a perfectly safe place to stay, near his doctor, with his grandparents. He is not critically ill, he has mono.

Quite a few posters did offer their experience with mono. Most said it took them months to get back to "normal". Some did end up hospitalized. I think all said they would not be able to spend a full day in a theme park. Unfortunately, mono can turn critical in some people. At this point, it is a wait and see with your son. Cases can be so different. I wish you all the best. Good luck. I know it's not easy having a child that sick.

 

[Dopey420]

THanks for all the replies and well wishes. We shall see what the doctor says when the time comes. I will post back and report what happens for future searchers.

 

[Dopey420]

We saw the doctor on Friday. The doctor said she did not feel his spleen. She said that he will be fine to go to Disney World, and would not be contagious. She said he will be fine to ride everything.

 

[dzorn]

We saw the doctor on Friday. The doctor said she did not feel his spleen. She said that he will be fine to go to Disney World, and would not be contagious. She said he will be fine to ride everything.

Quite frankly I would get a new doctor. Yes he will still be contagious. How will you feel if he ruptures his spleen all for WDW trip?

Denise in MI

 

[Piper]

Once someone gets mono, the virus stays in that person's body for life. But this doesn't mean that if you've had mono you are always contagious. Over time, the virus becomes less contagious. Eventually, it's very unlikely that a person who had mono will transmit the virus to someone else.

People who have mono can be contagious from the time they first become infected with the virus. But they may not know that they have the virus in its early stages. That's because it takes a while from the time a person is infected to the time symptoms of mono show up — about 4 to 7 weeks in fact. (This is called the incubation period.)

To make it even more confusing, some people can carry the virus without having any symptoms of mono, so they might not know they have the infection at all.

Mono needs to run its course naturally — symptoms may last 2 to 4 weeks — and some people feel tired for several weeks longer. It's important to take care of yourself if you have mono and get lots of rest.

Doctors and researchers aren't exactly sure how long someone with mono stays contagious after symptoms are gone. But it's generally believed that a person can spread the infection for many months after the symptoms are completely gone — some studies show as long as 18 months. But after that, it's very unlikely that a person will give someone else mono.

Reviewed by: Nicole Green, MD