Does anyone know anything about mono?!

[remyandhollandsmommy]

One of the boys at Remy's bus stop just found out yesterday he has mono and I want to know if it is contagious or anything?! How long does it last? What the heck is it exactly (I remember a bunch of kids in HS had it and missed alot of school). I do NOT want Remy to get sick! The poor boy has already missed 3 weeks of school! His mom has been letting him play at the playground still so if it is contagious or something I will just have Remy stay indoors. Thanks!

 

[experiment626mom]

It's only contagious if they share eating utensils or something of that nature. Still I would keep Remy far from this child just in case.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Thanks for replying! With kids, you can never tell if they will share something so I will keep Remy home when he is out (which sounds mean, but I can't afford to have her sick and missing school). How long does mono last?

 

[chrissyk]

It lasted nearly 3 months for my sister, but only 1 week for me I guess that it varies a lot from person to person.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Well I had it for six months before it was ever diagnosed, so it can last a long time. However, since you are aware of it, you can keep an eye out for the symptoms. Hopefully, they weren't sharing any toys or such, and you won't have to worry.
Good luck
Kim

 

[minkydog]

Here is some stuff i got from the Georgia Dept of Health:
Mononucleosis
The incubation period is 4-7 weeks.

The period of actual contagion is variable, often prolonged.

It is tranmitted by saliva.

There is no restriction on attending school unless the child has a fever or is too uncomfortable, fatigued or ill to participate in activities.

AVoid kissing, sharing drinkings or utensils
So, no kissing boys

 

[Papa Deuce]

All I know about mono is that it sounds only half as good as stereo!



Hope all works out ok.

 

[disneynutcase]

My DD, now 16, had it when she was in second grade. Her cousin had it the year before. I believe the virus can be dormant for a long time. She kept complaining of a stomach ache. She had a slight fever. She recovered very quickly about 2 weeks. She couldn't do gym or ride a bike because of enlarged spleen. She slept alot for about a week. Also I believe after you have had mono you will alway test positive.

Jean

 

[MinnieM3]

I had it in high school and was out for at least 3 weeks. Nasty thing. I'd keep your kid away from the kid with mono for as long as possible, but if the kid's well enough to be in school, I'd send her to school.

 

[always quiet]

I'm only too familiar with this. My oldest DD (now 14) had this when she was 4. The doctor initially thought it was some sort of viral infection and was letting it "run it's course". A week later, she was EXHAUSTED, achey, had very swollen glands............and was actually yellow in color! They did a blood test and determined it was mono. There was nothing they could really do for her, but allow her to get lots of rest. What I didn't know about it was that once you have it, you will always test positive for it. Also, because she was so young, the doctor told me that anytime Jeana would get sick and her resistance was down, she could show every sign on the mono again without being contagious with it. I think every winter, until she was about 9, she would again get the fatigue and the swollen glands. Once her body became stronger, it was easier for her to fight it off. Hasn't had a relapse in years now. They figure that she picked it up from a public water fountain!

I have to say that I was concerned about it spreading through the house since her siblings were 5 and 1 at the time. Neither one of the other 2 got it.
BUT while at the pedetrician's office, my daughter got exposed to chicken pox!! With the resistance being so low due to the mono, she wasn't itchy with them..........she hurt! The pox marks got huge...some almost 2" across!
Unfortunately, we weren't as lucky with the chicken pox...every 2 weeks, another one broke out....We had an entire summer of contagious kids!!

 

[MickeysMommy]

I had this when I was in jr. high school and I was SO sick. My pediatricians were mis-diagnosing me also. First they said it was strep throat, then a viral infection, I remember my mother practically yelling at the doctors to figure out what was wrong with me.

I was home for a couple of weeks and it was terrible. I, too, would keep Remy as far away from this boy as possible. Mono is awful if you get it!

 

[goofyforlife]

My DH had mono the first year we dated.....Kissed everyday ....

When he was first diagnosed, I got tested, no mono for me... none of his four roommates got it either....The doctor told me he was more likely to give it to a total stranger from touching a surface than to someone closer.

That said, not sure if kids on a bus stop would be immune from the infection since they touch bus seats, stuff in school, etc.....

Where's those antibacterial wipes when you need them?

 

[Kimberly]

It's possible for people in the same household to share mono easily. It can survive on household items (through sweat) very easily... Just be very careful, that is NOT a thing you want to get.

Be cautious especially with cleaning up vomit (and probably wear gloves) and washing your children's clothing. Thankfully I've never gotten it, but both of my brothers have...