<p>DS phoned late last night, "I think I'm getting mono. Lots of kids on my floor have it and I feel like worse than a cold." Said his throat feels very tight, not like a usual sore throat.</p>
<p>I pooh-poohed it at first, saying they probably don't all have mono - just colds. He said they'd had confirming blood tests. So I told him to sleep well and see Health Services today.</p>
<p>Mono, to me, was a rarity and a prolonged, really knock you out of commission, thing. Reading WebMD, I see most cases run their course in a couple of weeks and the advice is the usual plenty of rest, eat healthy. </p>
<p>Any other thoughts? </p>
<p>He is finished with classes for the term. Exams start tomorrow, but his first exam is 12/12 so he's got rest time available, I hope. Since he is a Visiting Student, only 45 mins away - if he asks to come home in the interim, would you let him? (He hasn't asked and well may not, but he did come home one weekend when he had a cold and wanted to avoid the noisy weekend dorm).</p>
<p>My recollection is that mono affects different students differently. The bad news for your son, though, is that if he thinks he is just getting it as of 12/5, it will get worse before it gets better. And 12/12 is only the second week of the mono. He should contact all his profs right away and let them know what is happening. He might get some extension on some of his exams or be given alternatives or some other accommodation. He should not let the profs believe that whatever he produces while under the weather is all he is capable of doing. Another person to contact (besides the health staff) would be the dean of students. If many kids have mono, there may be something that can be done campus-wide.
If he asks to come home, do let him. He will sleep better in a quiet place.</p>
<p>Jmmom, my D had mono the second semester of her sophomore year. It was diagnosed through a blood test at Health Services. She stayed on campus and dragged herself to her classes but spent much of the remaining time in bed. </p>
<p>Health Services sent an e-mail to her Dean, who then contacted her profs and let them know so they would give her a little leeway on deadlines. </p>
<p>If he feels he can rest better at home I would honor that request. Rest is most important, as you know. He could just return to campus for the exams, assuming he feels up to it.</p>
<p>Bring him home if you can, IMHO. For one thing, this time of year there are a million viruses out there, and being nearly sick at nearly finals time is a great way to be truly sick by finals. (I should say that this is colored by the experience of a friend's son who lost an entire semester when he came down with mono a month from the end of the term, didn't go to any classes, and never was able to make up the work.)</p>
<p>S was diagnosed with mono 2nd week of October through blood test at campus health center. He had what seemed like just a cold, and I was sure it was just that or strep--Glands were like grapefruits and "the worst sore throat I've ever had." He never was hit with the "I can't lift my head off the pillow" exhaustion. The health center did contact the dean of students who contacted all of his professors, which S had also done. He was given the option to attend class when he felt up to it and to delay testing if necessary. He only missed one class and aced a Chem exam that the prof offered to tear up after he took it--he thought he had done okay! Wonderful crew coaches provided a list of vitamins and natural supplements that we purchased and delivered the day of diagnosis (he's only 1 1/2 hours away). We don't know for sure if that's what helped but we give credit to the pill regimen--he was cleared by the doctor in less than 10 days. He has had lingering congestion and finally was put on antibiotics for a sinus infection. If your sons wants to come home, feeling that he might get better rest than in the chaos of dorm living, that surely would be the best for him. Best wishes for a speedy recovery--at least he will be home soon and you can give him some good mother-lovin' that is sure to cure him!</p>
<p>S's friend was diagnosed with mono in October, missed one week of high school, and told to rest.</p>
<p>Big concern with mono is ruptured spleen ( which you have read about on Web Md :)
So any sports, lifting-working out, were limited for longer period of time.
Back in the day mono meant kids were out of school for LONG time and quite rare. But, as you read on Web MD it is diagnosed earlier now and and with REST the body should recover.</p>
<p>My S was tested and found to have high "previous" Epstein Barr titer. Web Md explains how common this is.</p>
<p>Important to note: Your S may not test positive because the body needs time to build up the antibodies, so investigate how accurate an early blood test is for Mono.</p>
<p>The possible long term effect of Mono may be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- which is caused by the Epstein Barr virus ( same thing that causes Mono). I would get solid medical advice ASAP, especially because of the timing as Marite mentioned.</p>
<p>Post-college D came home night before Thanksgiving with "the worst sore throat ever" couldn't even swallow her own spit. Immedicenter Dr ruled out strep and called it almost certainly mono--she skipped the blood test as she has no insurance. Was down for the count for that weekend, but has been able to return to work since then, just resting a lot. </p>
<p>S was under strict insturctions to avoid contact with her and any glasses, etc she used, since we figured if he got it, it would hit during finals. </p>
<p>D, unfortunately, was confined to ice pops for Thanksgving Dinner!</p>
<p>Jmmom - mono affects different people differently. The most severe complication,as stated is ruptured spleen - no contact sports, monitor carefully if there is a slip and fall on ice, etc.
If he can study at home, work his exam schedule out, etc, I would bring him home. Early rest does seem to make the illness resolve faster. Also, he has a big move ahead, he needs to get over it if possible - if he does have mono.</p>
<p>The important thing is to be sure s. receives medical care and does what he feels up to. It's wonderful that you're so close and can monitor what's going on. I was diagnosed with mono at Christmas break my first semester away and in hindsight it did affect my grades but not to a devastating extent. Mono affects people differently, as does a sore throat - just keep on top of it and he should be fine.</p>
<p>I had mono two years ago. The first part is the absolute worst. I had a fever and my whole throat was just raw and I had headaches. I was also DEAD tired. I took a week off of work and did nothing but lay on the couch and rest. I did return to work the following week out of necessity. My initial symptoms subsided, but I still tired easily for about 4 or 5 more weeks. I just always felt drained. I felt weak and fatigued. I suppose my point is that you can function with mono, but getting rest should be priority one.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The possible long term effect of Mono may be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- which is caused by the Epstein Barr virus ( same thing that causes Mono).<<</p>
</blockquote>
<br>
<p>This is not certain. It's true that antibodies (indicating exposure) to EBV are found in many CFS sufferers, but they are found in most healthy people too. EBV may play a role in CFS, or it may be just an innocent bystander virus. Not enough is known yet about CFS to say for sure.</p>
<p>BTW, EBV is a herpes virus, and like all herpes viruses, it is the gift that keeps on giving. There are very few things in this world that last forever, but a herpes infection is one of them. Nobody ever got completely cured of ANY herpes virus. After the acute phase is over they lie low, hiding out inside cells, for the rest of your life. Probably not causing any more trouble, but possibly becoming reactivated should your immune system get weakened somehow. Herpes virus reactivations are a major complication for transplant patients who must take immunosupressing drugs to prevent rejection.</p>
<p>my daughter had mono spring semester sophmore year
It was misdiagnosed as a cold/flu and she didn't tell me of the severity.
She soldiered on through most of her classes, but it IMO contributed to her flunking a critical class.</p>
<p>I think resting at home is preferable if possible and will help him recoup faster.</p>
<p>Mono can be a big deal, but if one follows the advice of doctors pertaining to rest, fluids, etc., they usually don't suffer any of the ill effects that mono can cause. Mono is a contagious illness that can be contracted through close contact like kissing or drinking/eating from the same glassware/utensils as the infected person. Although fairly rare, it can be passed through the air when the infected person coughs. Mono symptoms are much like those suffered by people with strep throat (sore throat, headache, stomachache or nausea, fever, patchy white spots on the throat). A monospot is usually done if the doctor suspects mono, especially if the person has been exposed within the past 4-6 weeks. The age group that tends to be mostly affected by mono is those 15-30. If the affected person doesn't follow the advice of the doctor, they can develop an enlargement of the spleen, which could be problematic, especially if it were to rupture. </p>
<p>My nephew had mono last fall and he is a big football player. The doctor told him absolutely no football for at least a month because he did not want to take any chances. I hope your S doesn't have mono, but if he does, encourage lots of rest and plenty of fluids, along with ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief. I hope he goes to student health services today.</p>
<p>Edit: Had I read all the previous information posted, I would have seen that great information and advice was already give. I hope your son feels better son, jmmom!</p>
<p>You already got fantastic advice. As far as the part about his exams and school work, should he have mono (get diagnosed ASAP), follow what Marite said with school. </p>
<p>As others have noted, mono affects each person differently. I got mono when I was 33 and my kids were 2 and 4 years old (immediately following the two year old's birthday party). I was laid up for nearly a full month. By laid up, I mean I could not get out of bed. Just sitting up was tiring. I had to get family and babysitters to come here to help with my children. I believe it is worse for an adult to get it than a teen. I have heard of teens still able to go to school with it but it is hard for me to imagine. The level of exhaustion is hard to describe but it was not just being tired. It was being VERY weak. Of course, others are sharing cases of young people who were still able to function. But I would be real concerned with finals coming up and would want to talk to professors and the dean of students just in case. If he wants to rest at home, he may be better off and perhaps after a week, he could feel up to being at school. It is hard to say as each case varies. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>PS....I got looks about how did I, as a 33 year old mom, get mono...like what high schoolers was I kissing lately!</p>
<p>The only thing I want to add is to treat this illness with the greatest care, and make sure to consult doctors who are experienced. Do not skimp on tests AFTER the symptoms go away. I would highly recommend to take a couple of blood tests 3 and 6 months after the symptoms subside to make sure nothing is abnormal.</p>
<p>If headaches or sore throat return in the following months, do not let doctors or med centers dismiss it lightly. Simple symptoms could hide serious problems. I learned it the hard way!</p>
<p>Mono can present in many different ways. Some are very sick some arent. I have worked in a college health service for over 20 years. We see 4-5 new cases a week. Blood work can (in about 20% of people) can take 2 weeks before it turns positive. So a negative first test doesnt mean you dont have it. No sports for at least 3 weeks also no alcohol for several months. Mono can involve the liver and alcohol is metabolized by the liver. I have seen several college students who had been getting better who got sicker after drinking. Mono is somewhat contagious but not as contagious as Strep or flu. Most kids make a full recovery. Chronic fatigue is not a very common outcome. Followup mono tests dont really tell you anything. Followup liver enzyme tests can tell you how the liver is improving.</p>