Mono is a pain...How long do I need to wait before I can kiss my girlfriend again?

Question

I know this is a question that is very common, and has been answered a million times, but with about 20 different answers showing up, I'm looking for a concentrated effort, maybe getting a well-rounded answer.

I tested positive for the disease earlier this week, and am now recovering fairly nicely. The problem is, I'm pretty physically active with my girlfriend, and while I understand the need to be well...c'mon, I'm extremely interested in being able to at least kiss her.

I've read that it can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to 6 months before the contagion goes away. So I'm still utterly confused.

I guess the best thing I can also ask is experiences, hearing from people who've had it and experienced it. If you were in a relationship, how long did you wait before kissing/being physically involved again? What helped you decide you were OK to be active again?

I appreciate any and all answers. With your help I can hope to be back to my old self in no time...

Answer 1

Well I had mono but I got it from my bf, so it didn't matter if I gave him germs because he gave them to me.

When you're not contagious with mono you have no symptoms. Your glands won't be swollen, you won't have a sore throat, no fever, headaches, etc.

It depends how fast you can recouperate from Mono. It took me about 2 months, but because I wasn't pacing myself, I was working out (which got my spleen inflamed so now it's permanantly inflamed especially if I get stressed out). I think a month is about average.

Make sure you get plenty of rest and don't push yourself. You should be healed soon, give it a few weeks or a month. And don't share drinks with anyone.

(This is a side note. I have no idea what the Mono did to me, but ever since I've had it I haven't been able to catch any illnesses...colds, stomach flu's, anything. It's like it gave me super abilities, and I've not had the greatest immune system...it's really weird though.)


Also, if you weren't kissing anyone else, chances are you caught it from your gf. A person does not have to have symptoms with mono. Those people are often called the "carriers". That's what my bf was. I think if the carrier has a healthy immune system they'll be less likey to show signs of mono.

Answer 2

Mononucleosis, often called “mono,” is a viral infection that is transmitted through the saliva of an infected person. The most common symptoms of mono are a fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, armpits and/or groin). An enlarged spleen and liver inflammation are also common.

Mono is sometimes referred to as the “kissing disease” because transfer of saliva during kissing is a one method of transmission. However, coughing and sneezing along with other methods, such as sharing food and utensils, may also spread the infection.

Mono occurs most often among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 35 years. Once exposed to the virus, a person develops immunity against future infection. Many children are exposed to the virus by the age of 5, often without realizing it, since mono causes little or no symptoms when viral exposure occurs at that age. Thus, not all adolescents and young adults exposed to the virus will develop mono. By the age of 35, most people have been exposed to the virus and are immune to infection.

A physician may diagnose mono following a description of symptoms and a physical examination. Various blood tests may also be performed in order to confirm the presence of the virus that causes mono, or to rule out other conditions that may be responsible for the symptoms (e.g., toxoplasmosis, viral hepatitis). A throat culture may be performed to rule out strep throat, which may be the cause of symptoms, or may accompany mono.

Mono generally does not require treatment. However, methods to soothe a sore throat and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever associated with infection may help reduce symptoms in some cases. Patients with mono are also advised to refrain from physical activity that may cause an enlarged spleen to rupture, a rare but dangerous complication of mono.

Preventing mono is extremely difficult, since it may be impossible to know who is carrying the virus. Many people are contagious before they realize they are infected, and may continue to be contagious long after the infection has cleared. Others who have been previously exposed to the virus carry the virus in their bodies and may be intermittently contagious for the rest of their lives.

For patients diagnosed with mono, physicians often recommend avoiding open-mouth kissing and sharing of objects that may come into contact with saliva (e.g., food, drink, eating utensils) for up to six months after the infection has cleared to prevent its spread. There is no vaccine available to prevent mono.

Answer 3

If this is an isolated case and not an epidemic in a school or institution, it is not very infectious. Kissing disease is a misnomer. My son started kissing his girl a week after I diagnosed her. I think you would be fairly safe under the same circumstances.