How long is mono contagious? If this is something that you are searching for, then there are chances that you already have it in your blood or throat!
While it is true that there are many ways in which you can prevent viral infections and influenza, there are times when you just cannot, for the sake of Christ, evade the chances of getting sick.
If you want to know about Mono, then you have to do one thing— keep on reading this article till the end and thank me later!
What Is Mononucleosis, aka Mono?
Mononucleosis, which is best known as Mono, is a coral infection that the Epstein-Barr Virus or EBV causes. If you are someone who has been experiencing an extremely sore throat with swollen glands and also has a fever, then there are chances that you have contracted this virus.
Even though the symptoms of this viral infection are very similar to that of any other viral fever or influenza, this one is a bit different than others. And this is generally due to its incubation period.
Here are some of the symptoms of mono that you should keep in mind:
- Headache
- Rashes
- Loss of appetite
- Body ache
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Swollen glands
Keep on reading this article till the end to learn more about the same…
How Does Mono Spread?
The Epstein-Barr Virus that is responsible for causing Mono is a very tricky one. It sheds itself in the throat of the infected person. This is the reason why it is also known as the “kissing disease.”
When I first heard someone asking me, “how long is mono contagious through kissing?” I knew why they were saying that. This is because Mono spreads through the saliva of the infected.
In other words, if you have Mono or if someone you are planning to kiss has Mono, then the virus will be transmitted from the infected person to the healthy person.
However, kissing is not the only way in which Mono is spread. The virus spreads through several other body fluids like sweat, saliva, cough, as well as semen. Yes, you read that right. And that is why doctors prescribe or advise not to have sex till the time you recover from Mono.
Answering The Question, “How Long Is Mono Contagious?”
Let me now get to the point. So, how long is mono contagious? The answer to this question can be a bit tricky. Hence, hold onto your seats and read this part of the article carefully to get the information that you need.
The way Mono affects and works in your body is very different from many other viruses. And that is primarily the reason why people often get confused about how long is mono contagious.
Even after the symptoms of Mono are no longer visible, there are chances that you can still infect someone with Mono. Let me break that down for you.
Mono is a highly contagious infection. People who are infected with this virus are contagious from the very time they contracted the EBV till upto 18 months in some cases.
The fits six weeks after you contract this virus, you might not get to know that you are infected. This is because of the incubation period of the virus. However, matters get worse in cases of people who do not show any symptoms of infection even after the incubation period is over.
1. Treatment: How To Treat Mono?
Now, here is the sad part. There is no specific medicine that is available for treating Mono. This means that you have really given it time to heal (did you see what I did there?)
However, here are some of the things that you can do to make the process a bit better:
- Stay hydrated
- Take antibiotics to deal with the fever and pain
- Drink a lot of warm fluids
- Give your body the rest that it needs
- Do not smoke
- Avoid alcohol.
2. How To Reduce Transmission Of Mono?
If you think you have Mono or someone you know has contracted the infection and wants to reduce the risk of transmission, you must know what to do to prevent the spread. And guess what? You have come to the right place.
Here are some of the things that you need to do in order to stop Mono from spreading or infecting you:
- Avoid contact with the person who has this infection.
- If you know someone who Mono has infected, eat healthy fruits and stay hydrated.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Do not share your personal belongings.
- Do not kiss someone if they or you have Mono.
- Do not have sex with someone who has Mono. EBV is a virus that can also spread through semen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Now that you have almost reached the end of this article, I hope that most of your doubts and confusion regarding Mononucleosis or mono are cleared. However, here are some of the questions that readers frequently ask about how long is mono contagious. You might want to go through them for some additional information.
⁍ If you are searching for this, there are chances that you have already suffered from mono once previously. While you can only get mono once in your life, there are rare cases where people have had mono more than once.
⁍ Adults are the ones who have the highest risk of contracting mono. However, kids can also get infected with this virus. This disease is caused by the exposure to Epstein-Barr Virus, which is also known as the EBV. It generally causes mono in young adults.
⁍ There are no particular medicines that specifically treat mono. However, you can reduce the symptoms by drinking a lot of hot fluids and staying hydrated. You can also take the over-the-counter medicines that are available for treating fever and pain.
Wrapping It Up!
Mono or Mononucleosis is a viral infection that is caused by the EBV or Epstein-Barr Virus. These generally affect young adults and people over the age of forty. This virus is contagious and can spread through saliva. It results in fatigue, fever, headaches, and a sore throat.
In case you were searching for the answer to how long is mono contagious, I hope that you found this article to be of help. Also, if there are any other queries related to the same, kindly feel free to write them down in the comment section below.
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