• Most people will non exist able to get mono twice in their life.
  • That's considering once you're infected with the virus that causes mono, it remains inactive in your body.
  • Even so, those who are immunocompromised may be at a higher adventure for the virus reactivating, and experiencing mono symptoms more than one time.
  • This article was medically reviewed past Kristine Arthur, Doctor, an internist at MemorialCare Medical Group in Laguna Wood, CA.
  • Visit Insider'due south Health Reference library for more advice.

Infectious mononucleosis, or mono for short, is spread by the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpes family, through saliva or respiratory droplets.

More than than 90% of people worldwide are infected with EBV. The virus volition remain inactive for many of these people, and they'll never have any symptoms of mono.

All the same, at least 25% of young people who become infected with EBV will develop symptoms of mono, according to the Centers for Disease Command and Prevention (CDC). But there's some good news — if you lot get mono, information technology'south almost incommunicable to get information technology once more. Hither's why.

Can you get mono twice?

In one case you've had mono, it's extremely unlikely that you'll get it again months or even years later.

When you've been infected with EBV, it remains in your throat and blood cells for the rest of your life — merely is normally latent, or inactive. Your immune system produces antibodies in your blood that help protect you against a recurrence of EBV.

"This will give you permanent immunity from catching the virus again," says Dimitar Marinov, MD, an assistant professor in the department of hygiene and epidemiology at Medical University in Varna, Republic of bulgaria. "That's the reason why you cannot go mononucleosis twice."

All the same, EBV may periodically reactivate in your body, leading to higher levels of the virus in your saliva. Even if EBV does reactivate, there are usually no symptoms of mono in otherwise healthy people, Marinov says.

All the same, you could possibly still spread EBV to others, regardless of how long it's been since you were first infected, the CDC notes. That'south why mono tin can be contagious long after you lot've displayed symptoms.

People with weak immune systems are more likely to get mono twice

Notwithstanding, if you have a weakened or suppressed immune organisation, also known as being immunocompromised, then yous're more at risk of getting mono more than once. If you have the following conditions, you are more likely to evidence symptoms of mono if EBV reactivates.

  • People with autoimmune diseases such every bit lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis
  • People taking immunosuppressant medications, such equally corticosteroids like prednisone, to care for autoimmune diseases
  • Cancer patients
  • People with AIDS

Although it is unclear what can trigger a reactivation of EBV, it may be due to an activation of B cells — a type of white blood cells in your immune system — in response to an unrelated infection.

EBV invades your B cells and makes your body produce an excessive number of lymphocytes, the round white claret cells in your lymph tissues, and produce fewer neutrophils, the white blood cells that boost your immune system's ability to fight infection.

EBV-invaded B cells may proliferate more in people with weakened allowed systems. This makes them more probable than people with healthy allowed systems to accept astringent symptoms caused by EBV.

In very rare cases, an EBV infection may develop into chronic active EBV (CAEBV). Instead of going dormant, EBV remains active and tin pb to serious complications such every bit a weakened allowed arrangement, lymphomas, or organ failure. The only current cure for CAEBV is hematopoietic (claret cells) stem cell transplantation.

People from Asia, S and Central America, and Mexico are more at risk for CAEBV, and it'southward mostly caused by genetic factors. "There are people with genetic variations in their immune cells who are more than susceptible to a CAEBV infection," Marinov says.

Other common illnesses that y'all might mistake for mono

It's rare that you lot'll actually get mono twice. So, if you've already had mono once, and you think yous're getting it again, it's more likely that you actually have another illness with similar symptoms, such as strep pharynx or flu.

Mono symptoms usually begin four to 6 weeks afterwards you've been infected with EBV. The symptoms typically last from two to six or more than weeks, which is much longer than they usually concluding for other viral infections.

Strep throat and influenza may resemble mono.
Yuqing Liu/Insider

Unlike mono, the mutual influenza is caused by an flu virus that can be transmitted not just through saliva, only through the air and by touching contaminated objects.

Flu symptoms unremarkably begin all of a sudden, before long later on y'all become infected, rather than over time as they do with mono. The influenza typically lasts from a week to 10 days.

And while mono and the flu are acquired by viruses, strep pharynx is acquired by group A Streptococcus bacteria, then it can exist treated with antibiotics and will normally final less than ane calendar week.

The lesser line

If you've already had mono, and think you may have information technology once more, cheque with your doc, who can determine if that's the example — or if y'all merely accept another common illness, similar strep pharynx or influenza.

All the same, in some cases, serious conditions tin can also display symptoms similar to mono. This includes hepatitis B, a virus that causes inflammation of the liver and has additional symptoms too those for mono, such equally night urine and yellowing of your skin. You should encounter a doctor right away if you have these symptoms.

Related articles from Wellness Reference:

  • How to treat mono and the best ways to save your symptoms
  • How to tell if you have a fever without a thermometer
  • 5 ways to soothe a sore throat

Laura Goldman is a Los Angeles-based freelance author who specializes in human and beast wellness topics. She writes about her favorite animals at i However Love Dogs.