How long after kissing mono

However, specific laboratory tests may be needed to identify the cause of illness in people who do not have a typical case of infectious mononucleosis. The blood work of patients who have infectious mononucleosis due to EBV infection may show—.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Epstein-Barr Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. About Infectious Mononucleosis. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. Top of Page. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Some studies have reported that you may still be contagious for up to 18 months.

EBV spreads from person to person through saliva and other bodily fluids. If you kiss a person who has the virus — or you share personal items like utensils, glasses, food, or lip balm — you can become infected.

You can also catch mono if someone who is sick coughs or sneezes close to you. Teens and young adults are most likely to get sick with mono symptoms.

If your symptoms worsen or persist for more than a day or two, make an appointment to see your doctor. If you have diabetes, you'll likely experience fatigue at some point. We'll tell you what you need to know. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection STI that can affect anyone. A common misconception is that chlamydia is transmittable through kissing. It's not always easy to determine if you have a cold or the flu, but knowing the differences helps treatment work more quickly.

A mononucleosis spot test will determine if you have the Epstein-Barr virus. Find out what to expect and what the results mean. Technically, yes, mono can be considered a sexually transmitted infection STI. The virus may reactivate in anyone who has EBV in their body. This means that the virus becomes contagious again. Some people will have no symptoms when the virus reactivates.

In people with weakened immune systems, however, reactivation may cause some symptoms. Genetics could also play a role in EBV infection, immunity, and the potential effects of the virus. However, this area requires further research. The symptoms of mono vary for each person. Some people only have mild symptoms. Others feel very ill and may find it difficult to continue with daily activities. People may notice symptoms 4—6 weeks after contracting EBV. Doctors refer to this as the incubation period.

Symptoms typically appear gradually before increasing in intensity. The duration of symptoms varies for everyone. Most people will recover in 2—4 weeks. However, some people have symptoms that last for over 6 months.

The most common cause of mono is an EBV infection. The virus typically spreads through bodily fluids. People can transmit EBV to others through saliva.

This means that EBV can spread through kissing or sharing items such as cutlery and toothbrushes. It is difficult to prevent the spread of EBV. Many people carry the virus without symptoms and pass it on to others. People with mono should avoid kissing others while the virus is active. They should also avoid sharing anything that touches their mouth, including:. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help the body to fight off viruses.

Good nutrition , quality sleep, and regular exercise are all good ways to stay healthy.