• Nearly people will not exist able to get mono twice in their life.
  • That's considering once y'all're infected with the virus that causes mono, it remains inactive in your trunk.
  • However, those who are immunocompromised may be at a higher take chances for the virus reactivating, and experiencing mono symptoms more than once.
  • This article was medically reviewed by Kristine Arthur, Medico, an internist at MemorialCare Medical Group in Laguna Woods, 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 canker family unit, through saliva or respiratory droplets.

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

However, at least 25% of young people who get infected with EBV will develop symptoms of mono, according to the Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention (CDC). Simply there's some good news — if you get mono, it'due south nearly impossible to become it once more. Here's why.

Can you get mono twice?

In one case yous've had mono, it's extremely unlikely that you'll become information technology once again months or fifty-fifty years after.

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

"This volition requite yous permanent immunity from communicable 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 become mononucleosis twice."

However, EBV may periodically reactivate in your torso, leading to higher levels of the virus in your saliva. Even if EBV does reactivate, at that place are usually no symptoms of mono in otherwise healthy people, Marinov says.

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

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

However, if you take a weakened or suppressed immune system, as well known every bit being immunocompromised, then you're more than at risk of getting mono more once. If you have the following weather condition, yous are more probable to show symptoms of mono if EBV reactivates.

  • People with autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis
  • People taking immunosuppressant medications, such as corticosteroids like prednisone, to treat 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 blazon of white blood cells in your immune organisation — in response to an unrelated infection.

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

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

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

People from Asia, South and Key America, and United mexican states are more at risk for CAEBV, and it's mostly caused by genetic factors. "There are people with genetic variations in their immune cells who are more susceptible to a CAEBV infection," Marinov says.

Other common illnesses that you lot might mistake for mono

It'due south rare that yous'll actually get mono twice. Then, if you lot've already had mono once, and you lot recall you're getting it again, it'due south more likely that you actually have another affliction with similar symptoms, such as strep throat or influenza.

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

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

Unlike mono, the common influenza is caused past an flu virus that can be transmitted non simply through saliva, just through the air and by touching contaminated objects.

Influenza symptoms usually begin suddenly, soon afterwards you lot become infected, rather than over time as they do with mono. The flu typically lasts from a week to x days.

And while mono and the flu are caused by viruses, strep pharynx is acquired by group A Streptococcus leaner, so it tin can be treated with antibiotics and will usually last less than one week.

The bottom line

If yous've already had mono, and retrieve you lot may accept it again, check with your doctor, who can decide if that's the case — or if y'all simply have some other common illness, similar strep pharynx or influenza.

However, in some cases, serious conditions can also brandish symptoms similar to mono. This includes hepatitis B, a virus that causes inflammation of the liver and has additional symptoms besides those for mono, such as nighttime urine and yellowing of your skin. Y'all should run across a doctor right away if you have these symptoms.

Related articles from Wellness Reference:

  • How to care for mono and the best means to relieve your symptoms
  • How to tell if you have a fever without a thermometer
  • 5 means to soothe a sore throat

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