I have Mono
By carpenter5
@carpenter5 (6782)
United States
September 17, 2009 12:08am CST
For the last two weeks, I have been so tired and just felt draggy and sleepy and tired all the time. I didn't ahve the energy to clean house, or do homework or anything else. It seemed like no matter how long I slept it wasn't enough.
It all started with a high fever and a sore throat, which I thought was just my sinuses acting up.
Well, I finally gave in Monday and went to the Health office on campus where the nurse practitioner saw me. She asked a series of questions, then asked if she could do a blood test, with a mono spot.
I asked her wasn't I too old to ahve mono. I thought that was a young people's disease.
She said that it is more prominent in young people but that anyone can get it.
Monday afternoon she calls me back and says yes...the mono spot was positive.
So, I've been out of school all week. She sent my professors a letter stating the problem. All but one of them has been great and understanding. I'll tell about that in another discussion post perhaps.
My professor that teaches my Advanced Public Speaking Class said that she didn't take care of herself the first couple of weeks she had it, and it ended up taking her three months to get completely recovered! I certainly can't afford that much time off! The semester would be ruined.
So have you ever had Mononucleosis? Or has one of your kids?
2 people like this
6 responses
@AmbiePam (85661)
• United States
19 Sep 09
They used to call it the kissing disease. It is transferred pretty easily between people. You can get the germs drinking from the water fountain even. You know how sometimes kids put their mouths practically ON the spout for the water? I'm sure our lovely lady here didn't get it from kissing or a water fountain though...But working hard with school and home life can certainly lower one's immunity...
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 Nov 09
Actually, I think I probably did get it from the water fountain. I never drink straight from them, but about 2 weeks before I get sick, I was all the way across campus from the C-store or the Food court. I needed to refill my water bottle because I was taking sinus medication that had me just dried completely out.
I didn't have any change for the soda machine, so I used the fountain in the science building. I turned on the water extra high and never touched the bottole to the spigot. (I've seen people put their mouths on them UGH) I even let it run for a few minutes before filling the bottle.
I don't know if that's how I got it or not, but that is a possibility.
@ElicBxn (63248)
• United States
17 Sep 09
I had a very mild case of mono the summer after my senior year of high school, I got if from a (girl) friend - she drank from my soda... I learned years later that another friend of hers got it too from about the same way.
It hid itself because my sister got sick about the same time, but with something else and it presented pretty much the same way
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I couldn't believe that I got it now at my age, after taking care of all three of my kids after they had it! I figure I got it when I filled my water bottle from the fountain at school. I never drink directly from them, but needed more water, and I wasn't near one of the canteens/food halls at school.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 Nov 09
It's interesting to me that you've nevere heard of this sickness. It is a viral infection. I know years ago when my aunt and uncle were missionaries, stationed in the Philappines, there was an outbreak of the virus in one of the little villages they were working with. My aunt was expecting their first child, and the village doctor asked her to stay in their home because she'd never had it, and he was afraid for her health being pregnant.
@AmbiePam (85661)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Oh no! I know they used to call that the kissing disease. My mom had a friend in high school who apparently got it from putting her mouth too close to the "spigot" on the water fountain. She said her friend was out of school for two months. I certainly hope you are healed quickly. You can be sure I'll be praying for you. And I know a lot of others will be too.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 Nov 09
Oh to only have mono. (I'm getting ready to post a discussion about what's going on.)
I appreciate the prayers. I missed three weeks of school. Because of all the stuff that's going on, I've ended up having to drop out this semester. The Mono was just the beginning.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
17 Sep 09
You poor thing...Is Mononucleosis similar to Glandular Fever? My husband had the latter years ago when he was a teenager and it drained him of all energy and made him feel extremely tired; he still says that he can’t do too much around the house because he had Glandular Fever and the doctor told him it can take years to get over it...What? Over twenty years? Good excuse but I don’t think so! (LOL)
I’ve never had anything like that and neither has my daughter- fingers crossed!
I hope you get all the rest you need and that you don’t feel too terrible. Take care of yourself and get better soon won’t you!
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 Nov 09
Mono is a viral infection. Most people recover completely in about 3 weeks, but some can feel tired for up to 6 months after the virus. Then others, like my daughter develop something called Post Mono Disorder. It's where the virus that actually causes Mono stays in your system.
Lauren will do great and then if she overdoes it, doesn't get enough sleep, etc...she will run a low grade fever for several days, and want to sleep all the time. After her body recovers, she is fine!
@zhuhuifen46 (3483)
• China
17 Sep 09
Hi, carpenter5, hope you feel better now. According to chinese medication, when season changes, our body take time to get regulated. At the wake of autumn, we feel especially dry, thirty and sleepy. In this period, we must care about what we eat. Avoid oily, sweet and hot food, and take more vegetables and fruits, and a lot of water, not coffee! And do not overdo yourself, more rest helps recovery.
If you really have caught a cold, or digestion disorder, you need to consult the doctor.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 Nov 09
Well the mono is a viral infection. I am fine now, it just took several weeks to get well. I had to get lots of sleep, lots of fluids (Water, juice and tea).
In America, the virus is jokingly called "the kissing disease" because it is spread through bodily fluids (Saliva mainly). Really you can get it other ways besides kissing someone, including getting a drink from a public water fountain etc... I won't drink directly from one, but did use a water fountain at school to refill my water bottle about two weeks before I got sick!
