How can you relapse from mono

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Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Mononucleosis: Can it recur? Products and services. Can mononucleosis recur? I thought that once you got mono you couldn't get it again.

Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references AskMayoExpert. Epstein-Barr virus infection. You should see a doctor right away if you have these symptoms. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation.

Women's Health. Primary Care. Mental Health. More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots. It indicates a way to see more nav menu items inside the site menu by triggering the side menu to open and close. Laura Goldman. Most people will not be able to get mono twice in their life. That's because once you're infected with the virus that causes mono, it remains inactive in your body. However, those who are immunocompromised may be at a higher risk for the virus reactivating, and experiencing mono symptoms more than once.

Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice. Laura Goldman is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer who specializes in human and animal health topics. However, rubella has some unique symptoms: facial rash, red eyes, runny nose, and a cough. Myalgic encephalomyelitis ME is another disorder often mistaken for mono, and formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome.

This makes sense since the primary symptom in both mono and ME is extreme tiredness. Cytomegalovirus CMV is a common virus that can trigger symptoms similar to mono.

This virus affects every age group. Common Mono Symptoms Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually appear weeks after you have caught Epstein-Barr virus infection. Mono symptoms Severe fatigue may persist longer than other symptoms Severe sore throat Swollen glands in your neck Swollen tonsils Loss of appetite Body aches Fever Headache Symptoms of chronic EBV Severe fatigue lasting for multiple months Swollen lymph nodes that persist Enlarged spleen Enlarged liver possibly liver failure Anemia Rash Nerve damage Low levels of platelets in your blood Low levels of infection-fighting immune cells Causes of Recurring Mono Can you get mono twice?

Here are some risk factors that increase the likelihood of getting mono twice: Living in Asia, Mexico, Central America, South America HIV infection Pregnancy Organ transplant Genetic factors Weakened immune system Stress Extreme Fatigue Other illness or anything that stress the body Your immune system can also be weakened by alcohol, smoking, chronic stress , or poor nutrition , making it easier for mono to recur. Is mono worse the second time?

Can mono come back with stress? But you may be able to prevent mono from happening a second time. How to treat stealth pathogens like EBV The best defense against getting mono a second time is making sure your immune system is top notch. How can you strengthen your immune system? If you want to bring down a fever or ease aching, try these all-natural painkillers : Lavender oil Peppermint oil Ginger Feverfew Curcumin found in turmeric Lukewarm bath Also when we have patients with EBV we recommend rest, self care, and supplements that slow down the replication of the virus, strengthen the immune system, and suppress reactivation.

Looking to the Future Mono has affected billions of people in the world. It is possible to get mono twice. Sources Mohseni, M. Infectious mononucleosis: frequently asked questions. Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection with and without infectious mononucleosis. PloS one , 14 Characterization and treatment of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease: a year experience in the United States.

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