• Virtually people will non be able to get mono twice in their life.
  • That's because in one case you're infected with the virus that causes mono, it remains inactive in your body.
  • All the same, those who are immunocompromised may be at a college gamble for the virus reactivating, and experiencing mono symptoms more in one case.
  • This article was medically reviewed by Kristine Arthur, MD, an internist at MemorialCare Medical Group in Laguna Wood, CA.
  • Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.

Infectious mononucleosis, or mono for short, is spread by the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a fellow member of the herpes family, through saliva or respiratory aerosol.

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

However, at to the lowest degree 25% of young people who get infected with EBV will develop symptoms of mono, co-ordinate to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But in that location'due south some good news — if you lot become mono, it's almost impossible to become information technology once again. Here'due south why.

Can yous get mono twice?

One time y'all've had mono, it's extremely unlikely that you'll go it again months or even years later.

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

"This will give you lot permanent immunity from catching the virus once more," says Dimitar Marinov, Medico, an assistant professor in the department of hygiene and epidemiology at Medical University in Varna, Bulgaria. "That'southward the reason why you cannot get mononucleosis twice."

Withal, EBV may periodically reactivate in your body, leading to higher levels of the virus in your saliva. Fifty-fifty if EBV does reactivate, in that location are usually no symptoms of mono in otherwise healthy people, Marinov says.

However, you could perhaps however spread EBV to others, regardless of how long information technology's been since yous were commencement infected, the CDC notes. That's why mono can exist contagious long afterwards you've displayed symptoms.

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

All the same, if you have a weakened or suppressed immune system, as well known equally being immunocompromised, and then you lot're more than at risk of getting mono more than one time. If you lot take the following weather, y'all are more than likely 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 care for autoimmune diseases
  • Cancer patients
  • People with AIDS

Although it is unclear what can trigger a reactivation of EBV, information technology may be due to an activation of B cells — a type of white blood cells in your allowed system — in response to an unrelated infection.

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

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

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

People from Asia, Due south and Central America, and Mexico are more at risk for CAEBV, and it's mostly caused past 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 might mistake for mono

It's rare that y'all'll actually get mono twice. So, if you've already had mono once, and you think you lot're getting information technology once more, it'southward more probable that yous really 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 vi or more weeks, which is much longer than they usually last for other viral infections.

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

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

Flu symptoms normally begin suddenly, soon after you become infected, rather than over time as they do with mono. The flu typically lasts from a week to ten days.

And while mono and the influenza are caused by viruses, strep pharynx is caused by grouping A Streptococcus leaner, so it tin exist treated with antibiotics and will usually concluding less than one calendar week.

The bottom line

If you've already had mono, and think you may have it again, bank check with your physician, who tin make up one's mind if that's the case — or if y'all just have another mutual illness, like strep throat or influenza.

However, in some cases, serious atmospheric condition tin too display symptoms like to mono. This includes hepatitis B, a virus that causes inflammation of the liver and has additional symptoms besides those for mono, such as night urine and yellowing of your skin. Y'all should come across a doctor right away if y'all have these symptoms.

Related articles from Wellness Reference:

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

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