[Stann]

Daughter has mononucleosis - what should I do?

by Stann on Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:50 pm

My teenage daughter has mononucleosis, the viral "kissing disease."

I'm 5 years out from diagnosis and am doing well, blood work good and all.

Other than watching hands more frequently, not sharing glasses etc., is there something more I should be doing? Is this a situation that warrants moving out for a month?

I have already been on acyclovir 400 mg 2 times/day and will continue.

Thanks, Stann

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Daughter has mononucleosis - what should I do?

by Nancy Shamanna on Wed Oct 08, 2014 7:56 pm

Hi Stann, Sorry to hear that your daughter has 'mono'. It seems that you are taking good precautions already so as not to contact it, as I am sure everyone in the family is. There is a good section in 'Web MD -mononucleosis' that explains the disease, and what to expect if one has it. It is common in young adults and even children. Hope all are well soon!

[stann]

Re: Daughter has mononucleosis - what should I do?

by stann on Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:45 am

Hi Nancy,

Thanks for replying.

I had mono as a kid, but I wonder if the high dose chemo (SCT's) wiped out those antibodies?

I'm not concerned about my daughter too much, it's just one of those things most of us go through. But I think it would be a bigger problem for me if I got it. Although not sure. There is a vaccine in the early stages, but nothing commercial yet.

I couldn't find information on acyclovir and it's use as a preventative measure against mono (Epstein-Barr virus), although they've looked at it for lessening the effects of the infection in somebody who already has it.

[Melanie]

Re: Daughter has mononucleosis - what should I do?

by Melanie on Fri Oct 10, 2014 8:54 am

We had this problem this past summer, but ours was a bit more tricky.

My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma this past summer in early to mid July. My daughter returned home from college for the summer at the end of May and was not feeling well. Took her to the doctor and she was diagnosed with mono.

Husband started treatment for his multiple myeloma at the beginning of August. Shortly after that, what my daughter thought was a case of poison ivy turned out to be shingles. She was started on valcyclovir [Valtrex] and prednisone immediately.

Luckily, my husband was already taking acyclovir as part of his multiple myeloma treatment, and there were no repercussions from my husband being around my daughter.

[stann]

Re: Daughter has mononucleosis - what should I do?

by stann on Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:42 pm

Phew ... close call.