Jan 20 2009
How long is Epstein Barr virus (mononucleosis or glandular fever) contagious for?
The Epstein Barr virus that causes glandular fever or mono, is shed from the throat and contagious during the illness and up to a year after the infection. The virus can become dormant and later reactivate and be shed from the throat again. Symptoms of the illness may not always be apparent. In fact many healthy people can carry and spread the virus intermittently for life. It is believed that these people are the main reservoir for person to person transmission of the virus.
Apart from through kissing, saliva can transmit the virus by people sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, towels or toys. Mononucleosis can be transmitted from mouth to hand so washing hands well is important. Though good personal hygiene makes sense, the Epstein Barr virus is everywhere, and exposure to it cannot be avoided entirely.
The virus is also found in mucous and can be transmitted through coughing or sneezing.
It is not as easily spread as the common cold or flu virus since the virus is very fragile and cannot survive for long out of the human body. For this reason outbreaks of mononucleosis are rare – they occur sporadically throughout the year.
The Epstein Barr virus can also be transmitted by blood via a needle or blood transfusion. For this reason it is important that you do not donate blood for at least 6 months after the onset of symptoms.
Symptoms of mononucleosis appear 30 – 50 days after exposure to the virus, although some people are infected with the virus for weeks or months before any symptoms begin to appear.
If you have been diagnosed with Epstein Barr it is important to rest your body, drink plenty of pure water and support your immune system with vitamins, minerals, herbs, an immune-boosting diet and lifestyle improvements. These natural treatments for Epstein Barr are discussed in detail in the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by naturopath Elizabeth Noble.
53 responses so far
Hi
I have tested postive for glandular fever (EBV) in 1994, 1998 and 2005. at each time I felt very unwell.
I had negative blood tests after each bout of glandular fever (EBV).
I have recently been told that this is not possible! As once you have had EBV, you cannot get it again.
I don’t really understand this and would be grateful for you input.
Thank you
Hi,
Once you have had EBV, the virus remains in your body in a dormant or latent stage.
In most people it does not re-appear. However in some people it does re-activate
or relapse for months or years after the initial infection.
You are immune to picking it up from somebody else. It is your latent virus
re-activating.
Your “negative” blood tests may indicate the virus was not active at that point.
The EBV antibodies should have been there – they persist for life after the
initial infection.
Hope this helps.
Elizabeth
Thank you for your reply.
I wish more could be done about this virus, it really has made me unwell.
I don’t bother getting tested anymore, as there didn’t seem to anything ‘medically’ that can be done.
Thanks again and all the best with your site.
Doc
I just met a lady who has EBV. Can we ever have a sex life without worry. Or are we going to have to use the rubber glove approach. I am not sure i want to become involved in a relationship where fluid exchange is prohibited for life.
Henry
So you are contagious for up to a year even if you have no symptoms whatsoever and you feel totally fine? Is it positive that you will infect others?
Hi Henry,
EBV can be transmitted through body fluids, however most adults have already had the virus and are immune from picking it up from someone else again.
If you have never had EBV, then you are susceptible to picking it up from your partner. A simple blood test can determine if you are immune.
Elizabeth
Hi Lindsey,
People are usually most contagious in the acute stage of the illness when the sore throat, swollen glands and respiratory symptoms are present. However even after recovery when the symptoms have resolved the virus can still be shed from the throat for a year or so after the initial infection. Some people continue to shed the virus sporadically for life even though they have no symptoms and feel fine.
Elizabeth
I am getting over the symptoms of Glandular Fever and I was wondering how long before say I could kiss someone without giving them Glandular Fever and getting them sick.. Thanks
Hi Judy,
The virus is most infective in the initial stage of the illness when a runny nose, sore throat, swollen glands and fever may be present. This can last a couple of months. The virus can still be shed for a year or longer, however there is no way of telling if you are contagious. Your partner could get a test done to see if they have had EBV before. If they have, then they are immune from getting it from you.
Elizabeth
My partner has Chronic EBV and borreliosis. We have exchanged a lot of fluids since we met and I appear to be fine. Does this mean I’m immune?
Hi Amy,
Yes most adults have had EBV and are immune from picking it up again from someone else. If you have stayed well it probably means you are immune. Borreliosis (which can cause Lyme’s disease) is normally spread by ticks, lice, rodents etc.
Elizabeth
Hey i had EBV when i was about 13 years of age i was in hospital for 2 weeks, then after thay i was fine. im 23 now, i was wondering if me always being tired, never having energy having trouble waking up in the morning could have something to to do with this. im sick of never having energy to do anything, going to work is so much trouble then having energy to do work, its not like this everyday but most days it is.
Hi Eddie,
Since EBV remains in your body for life it can relapse to cause symptoms like fatigue. I would do a course of B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium as well as eating well, getting adequate sleep and drinking plenty of water.
A liver cleanse may also be of benefit. If your tiredness persists then it is worth seeing your doctor for further tests.
Elizabeth
I hope you can help; I’m feeling very worried. Someone close to me has been unwell recently and has had a bunch of bloodwork done. Apparently they’ve been told they have Epstein Barr and possibly been told this is ‘reactivation’ or at least that it’s not contagious at this point.
I’ve been in close contact with this person over the past few months though and I’m wondering if I could be affected? We would have shared mugs, cups, utensils, etc.
This person had Mono during their teens, and I have had mono in the past as well.
I’m feeling paranoid
Thank you so much
Hi Christine,
I can understand your concern with your friend being diagnosed with Epstein Barr. However if you have had mono yourself in the past then you are immune from picking it up from someone else. The only way to experience a re-activation is if your immune system is under stress letting the virus can surface again.
Elizabeth
Hi,
I have met a woman who tells me that she has had Epstein-Bar, and that she also currently has fibromyalgia. We have not had physical contact – even touching or hugging as yet.
She also tells me that while in the hospital for pneumonia, that she almost died of it. However, because of the breathing tube the medical team had inserted into her mouth for so many days, she eventually also caught MRSA virus. This all occurred shortly after she was also diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, which is so severe that she has to wear an insulin pump, and she has a service dog which can sense when her ketones are rising. She is 47 years old.
I have never met anyone with so many ailments. I’m just now researching all of these illnesses (except for diabetes) and have become shocked at what I’ve learned about her conditions. She is tired everyday, and sometimes she’s also heavily medicated with pain medication for her fibromyalgia whenever I speak with her on the phone.
I am very emotionally attached to her as we have become very good friends with each other over the past few months since we first met. I know she would like to be married again someday. We set out in the beginning to only be friends. But friendships sometimes develop, and now I’m starting to realize that there might be a substantial risk for me to allow such a development. It hurts me very deeply now to think that I need to withdraw myself emotionally from her in order to avoid becoming intimately involved if our friendship were to develop along those lines.
She has also sensed these past three days that I’m not my same regular self in my emotions as I have been in the past, (because I’m still so shocked in what I’ve been discovering about these diseases, and also because I have not yet opened up to her about what I have found out. Soon I will).
I do want to help her and be friends with her, and allow our friendship to develop, but not at my own peril. I have never had Epstein-bar and/or mono, so I would be susceptible if she is still contagious, or if she has a relapse. I think she said it’s been about a year or a year and a half since she first contacted Epstein-bar. Is there any possibility that she is not contagious, and how can I know for sure… is there a medical test that a doctor can do to determine that for a certainty, and give me a strong assurance that I should be OK? Or is it going to be Iffy?
Thank you for your input.
Hi Jerry,
About 90% of the population have had Epstein Barr by the time they are 40. Sometimes you don’t even know you have had the virus. If you are worried I would recommend you see your doctor for a simple blood test to see if you have had the virus and are therefore immune from picking it up from someone else. Most people are contagious for the first few weeks of the infection although some people can shed the virus sporadically for life. Unfortunately there is no way of telling.
Elizabeth
Thank You Elizabeth… I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow. I will ask him for that blood test.
Hello
My partner has just recently been diagnosed with Epstein-Barr after being sick on and off for months. The last year she has never been so sick so much and this is the first answer we have gotten. My concern is how contagious she is and how long she will be. I have been sick and extremely tired but I don’t think any more tired than simply overworking. Her doctor has told her to take time off work and try and recover. How will
We know when she is better? And she has been very cautious about kissing or anything since we have no idea how contagious she is. Is it ok for her to kiss me? And what precautions should I take?
Thank you
Hi,
Epstein Barr virus is shed via saliva. It is most contagious in the early weeks of the infection however can be shed for several months after the initial infection. In some people it is spread sporadically for life. Unfortunately there is no way of telling if your partner is still contagious. I would recommend you get a blood test from your doctor to see if you have been exposed to the virus. If you have already had the virus then there is no risk of picking it up from your partner.
Elizabeth
Hi,
I recently started dating a girl and found out a little after that she has Epstein bar, but it is currently dormant. We are both around 19 or so and have been kissing a lot, and the occasional physical contact. Should I go visit my doctor to get tested?
Hi Jon,
Unless you are sick I do not think you need to visit your doctor. 90% of the population will be exposed to the virus before their 30′s. The best advice is to keep yourself healthy through a good diet, adequate sleep, exercise and some immune-boosting nutrients or herbs. It is also possible that you have had Epstein Barr in the past and are now immune from picking it up again. If you are concerned, the doctor can do a blood test to check your immunity but it is not essential.
Elizabeth
hi,
I’m 17yrs old and just been diagnosed with Esptein Barr a week ago. I’ve been researching about the virus and trying to understand it more. I wanted to know what foods should i prevent not eating and can i still do a little bit of exercise?
-Thank You
Hi Julie,
Thanks for your post. Sorry you have been diagnosed with Epstein Barr. I tell my patients not to push themselves in the initial stages of this illness. Your body needs lots of rest and sleep in order to recover. If you are feeling OK then gentle walking, yoga and stretching should be fine. Avoid any contact sports or weight lifting as this could rupture an enlarged spleen which is common during the the first 3 weeks of the infection.
Here is one of my posts on diet for Epstein Barr / mono:
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/A_Diet_for_Epstein_Barr_Virus_Glandular_Fever_or_Mononucleosis.html
Hope it helps.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Someone from work had mono, and pneumonia at the same time.
She kept coming to work even though she was coughing really bad.
Almost two months later I get mono. Can you get it from having a conversation
with someone while they are coughing without a kleenex? I also wondered
how long i’ll be sick and how long after could somebody get it from me.
Hi Andrea,
Symptoms of mono normally appear 30 – 50 days after exposure to the virus. The virus is transmitted via saliva so you can get it from someone coughing, sneezing or from kissing them. It does sound like your colleague may have passed it onto you. She should not have been at work if she was coughing badly.
Symptoms usually last from 1 – 4 weeks although some cases can last months. You are most contagious when you are exhibiting acute symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, coughing and fever. The virus can continue to be shed for up to a year even if you have recovered.
Elizabeth
I have recently had a relapse of mono, which I was diagnosed with 4 months ago. Although I am tired, I do not have additional symptoms. How contagious might I be at this time? My pregnant daughter is coming for a visit, and I’m concerned about exposing her to EBV during her pregnancy.
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
Most people are most contagious in the early stage of mono or its relapse. Having said that, some people do continue to shed the virus for months or years after infection – even if they feel healthy. Hopefully your daughter will have already been exposed to the virus so will be immune from picking it up again from you. If she is worried she can have a simple blood test to check her immune status.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth
Thanks for this info – I have been reading the posts above and find them informative. My husband was diagnosed with Epstein Barr 3 months ago and ended up in hospital. Just over a month ago I was feeling very sick and exhausted and a blood test revealed that I had it too. I have been sick on and off since September last year which makes me think he may have actually got it from me and I’ve been sick the whole time with it – with it reoccuring on and off.
I am in a very stressful job and have little time to think – let alone rest on most days. I had a blood test last Fri – 4 weeks after initially being diagnosed, and the results are almost identical to 4 weeks ago – in the last week I have a very sore throat again, congestion, head aches, tiredness etc. I want to try and fall pregnant but not until my blood results improve. How long is it usually before I will see an improvement in blood results and start to feel better? I’m really hoping that I can try to fall pregnant next month?
Thanking you in advance
Lauren
I was diagnosed with mono two years ago and ever since then the symptoms of mono still come back every so often and I have not felt like my self for the past two years. I am always so tired and never feel 100%. Is this just from the mono or could there be something more? Non of my doctors seem to be concerned. However, I feel like something more is going on.
Emily
Hi Emily,
Sorry you are not feeling 100%. The mono virus is a latent virus that can
relapse for months or years after the initial infection.
With your history you also need to clarify if you have any other microbes
like mycoplasma, Lyme’s or Chlamydia pneumonia which are complicating your
recovery. It is also important to test for other conditions like anaemia, allergy,
low blood sugar, underactive thyroid, liver problems, sarcoidosis etc
that can mimic Epstein Barr.
Best Wishes
Elizabeth
Hi Lauren,
Sorry I missed your post from a couple of weeks ago. I get so many comments that I somehow missed yours.
Anyway in answer to your question, everyone is unique in how long their blood test results take to improve. Some people see improvements within a couple of weeks – others can take months. If you have recently been suffering from fatigue, sore throat and headaches, I would wait till you feel 100% before you try and conceive. Building up your health and strength with a fresh food diet, a liver cleanse, immune-boosting nutrients, graded exercise and stress management would be a good start.
Best Wishes
Elizabeth
My older daughter has a 4 week old baby. She is worried that my 15 year old daughter can give her baby mono. My 15 year old was diagnosed with it in March, a couple of months ago. Everytime my 15 year old has a fever or sore throat, is she contagious? My 15 year old is always tired, too. How do you know after someone is diagnosed with mono, if they are still contagious? We are helping her out by babysitting her baby soon. Should we watch her? Please help!
I’ve had mono for about a week now and before two weeks before that it was the flu but i think that was one of the first signs of mono setting in. Right now i feel fine, with no symptoms of mono besides a block nose/sinus. My questions is how long till i can go out? i think my case of mono was less severe compared to most people so i guess im lucky. My second question is that my girlfriend had mono about 4 years ago and i pretty sure i got mono from her recently but should i wait a period of time before we return to kissing and or intercourse?
Your help would be appreciated thank you
Your sincerely Eric
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your post. If you are feeling fine then it is OK to go out as long as you don’t overdo things. Lots of rest is important when recovering from mono. If your girlfriend has had mono then she is immune to picking it up again from you. The virus does
remain in a dormant state in the body so can only get it again if her virus is re-activated.
Best Wishes
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth
I went on a date with someone this week (Monday). We Kissed. She had a bit of a hayfever like sniffle.
On Thursday she got ill with flu like symptoms, Friday she’s been diagnosed with Glandular Fever.
Is she likely to have been contagious on the Monday?
As I understand it at almost 30, there is a huge change I’ve already come across EBV and if I have I won’t develop GF. If I haven’t had EBV yet there is still a high chance I won’t develop GF.
Are those two statements correct ?
Is there anything I should be doing to try and reduce my risk of developing GF? I’m taking Echinacea and Vit C.
Should I be worried of passing it on to anyone else?
The idea of sitting here waiting for 4 -6 weeks to find out if i’m going to be very sick isn’t a very fun prospect.
Thank you?
Jon
Hi Jon,
It is probable that your partner was contagious on Monday. However most people have been exposed to Epstein Barr – the virus that causes glandular fever before their 30′s. If you have had EBV then you
are immune from picking it up from someone else. If you have not have EBV then unfortunately you may pick it up. In some people the virus causes no major symptoms. In others the classic glandular fever
symptoms of sore throat, fatigue, swollen glands and fever appear.
The best way to minimise the infection taking hold is to boost your immune system (vitamin C, zinc and echinacea are good), eat a healthy fresh food diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and get adequate
rest. If you have picked the virus up then you won’t be infectious straight away. The most contagious time is when you exhibit symptoms. If you are worried about your immune status with EBV a simple blood test can tell
you if you have had it before.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth
Thank you for your prompt reply!
Is there any advantage to having this test?
If it came back showing I hadn’t had it before, is there anything I can do / take to stop it developing – Antivirals or such like?
If not I feel that knowing I hadn’t had it before will just make me worry more if there’s nothing I can do.
After all the research I have done I’ve come to the conclusion there is no point worrying about it as EBV is so common that there is almost 0% chance you won’t come into contact with it at some point in your life. Is that correct?
Thanks again
Jon
I am 13. I had glandular and it has been nearly 2 months since I came out of hospital. I got blood tests and they came out negative does this mean
I can not pass it on to people if I kiss them?
Hi Sinead,
It sounds like you have recovered from the active phase of the glandular fever infection. This is normally when the virus is most contagious.
Having said that, the virus can continue to be shed from the throat for several months after infection. In some people this shedding can
occur sporadically for years. There is no way of knowing if you are still shedding the virus. I would say if you are showing no symptoms
then it is OK to kiss someone – if they have not had glandular fever then it may be worth discussing that it is possible that you are still
contagious.
Elizabeth
I have recently shown symptoms of glandular fever but have not been tested. My boyfriend has never had symptoms of glandular fever and we have been going out ten months. 3 days ago i kissed someone else who has now told me he had it about 3 years ago so it couldn’t of been him who passed it on. But is it possible it was him? With the symptoms developing just 2 days later? Or would it have to have been passed onto me 30-50 days ago?
I just want to know how i might have contracted it, (if it is it) thanks
Hi Katie,
The Epstein Barr virus that causes glandular fever takes a few weeks to incubate so no you could not have picked it up 2 days ago. If your symptoms linger then I would recommend you get a blood test to see if it is glandular fever. It is possible that you have picked it up from an infected person coughing or sneezing near you or by sharing drinks, eating utensils or towels with an infected person.
Elizabeth
Hi, I am 26 and have just got my test results back from the doctor. I have been feeling really unwell and have been off sick from work for the past two weeks, I suspected that it might be glandular fever as I had all the symptoms. The test results came back positive for Epstein Barr, but that it was in my past (no idea of recent or distant) and my blood cells looked normal. Yet I feel terrible. Is it possible that the virus has gone but I am only now getting the symptoms? Otherwise i feel like there is nothing wrong with me, but yet I feel really sick. I can’t take much more time off work, but yet I can’t get through the day without feeling exhausted at the moment. Please help! I have another appointment on wednesday but I know that the doctor ill tell me that I should be fine and suggest that I am depressed, which I am absolutely not.
Your advice is needed!
Hi Rachel,
Sorry you have been feeling so ill. Epstein Barr (the virus that causes glandular fever) is a latent virus that can relapse after the initial infection. It is possible you are fighting off a recurrence or it could be another viral infection. I would recommend you get bed rest, plenty of fluids, a light diet and some immune-boosting supplements like vitamin C, zinc, olive leaf extract and garlic to help your body recover. The addition of a B complex and some magnesium may help with your energy levels. Hopefully by next Wednesday you will have made some good improvements.
Best Wishes
Elizabeth
Hi. I am a 40 year old male. I had Mono when I was 16. About 6 8 weeks ago after a really bad night sleep due to some stress, I woke up with the right side of my throat feeling very sore. Hurt when I swallowed. Although that was my only symptom, it didn’t go away for a couple of weeks. A few weeks later they found my EBV was active. I retested last week and still active. Although my throat is better, at times it can feel a little swollen. I sleep a lot, 9-10 hours, although I have done that my whole life. Can you help me with the following concerns/questions:
1. Working out. Before the last 3 weeks I had a very strenuous exercise routine. 1 hour of pretty intense cardio or 1 hour of lifting weights. This was every day. I normally don’t feel to tired to work out but have been told to cool it. First question is how hard can I work out while EBV is still active but I fell up to working out?
2. Like anything else, when you get on the internet and research EBV eventually you can find some pretty scarry stuff. Do I need to be concerned with anything else going on like lymphoma, etc…?
3. How long should it be till my EBV is not active? When should I go back to test.
Thank you for your help
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Sorry to hear you are experiencing a relapse of Epstein Barr – the virus that causes mono. Stress and overdoing things can trigger the virus to re-activate. In answer to your questions:
1. Whilst the virus is active in your system it is advisable not to overdo the exercise. Your body needs as much rest and sleep as possible to heal. There is also the possibility that your spleen may be enlarged so strenuous exercise is not recommended. I tell my patients to do some walking, swimming, yoga, light weights or cycling for up to 30 minutes a day if they are up to it. Once you are over the active virus you can work back up to the hour of intense exercise.
2. The chances of EBV leading to lymphoma, cancer, MS etc is very rare. For the vast majority of people EBV remains a latent virus.
3. Everyone is different to how long the virus remains active. It can range from a couple of weeks to several months in severe cases. To optimise your recovery I would suggest you go onto some immune boosting supplements, eat a fresh food diet and rest as much as possible. A re-test in 2 months or so would be a good idea.
Hope this helps.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for the quick response. This is REALLY helpful. I had been under a ton of stress and I use to tend to overdo it in work outs so that might make sense. Two quick follow-ups.
1. I guess my concern was that I had something bad and that lead to the EBV being positive. So if I’m understanding correctly that is not the case and its as you said that in very rare cases the EBV could lead to the bad stuff (lymphoma, etc..) and not the other way around.
2. So if my EBV is active, yet my only symptom is swollen glands, does that mean I have mono or possibly just a active EBV without Mono? Is it possible that just an active EBV would cause just swollen glands?
Thank you so much for replying. This is an EXTREME help in understanding.
Ryan
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for the quick response. This is REALLY helpful. I had been under a ton of stress and I use to tend to overdo it in work outs so that might make sense. Two quick follow-ups.
1. I guess my concern was that I had something bad and that lead to the EBV being positive. So if I’m understanding correctly that is not the case and its as you said that in very rare cases the EBV could lead to the bad stuff (lymphoma, etc..) and not the other way around.
2. So if my EBV is active, yet my only symptom is swollen glands, does that mean I have mono or possibly just a active EBV without Mono? Is it possible that just an active EBV would cause just swollen glands?
Thank you so much for replying. This is an EXTREME help in understanding.
Ryan
I have been diagosed with EBV and I have had a yeast infection for more than 6 months I cant find the correlation? I have changed my diet. I get shots of vitamin B and C weekly and just about every other vitamin. I have taking famciclovir 500 mg for more than 3 months. I also have MS and I havent given up drinking coffee. This yeast infection is dibilitating and depressing. I’ve been told by my doctor I cant have sex or I will get sued–I think that is a little extreme. Any feedback would be helpful.
Dear Elizabeth,
Thanks for your website. I am 49, no sore throat or cold symptoms. Has taken three weeks to detect a positive monospot from symptoms of chills/fever 102-103, very painful myalgia striking nightly about 3-4 am. I am a night shifter, so days and nights mixed up. My question is, since I had mono in college, would the test always be positive? Does other testing need to be done? I am a nurse, and cannot put pts at risk. I fit the profile of overstressed, too much work for recurrence. Thankyou for any help, and your time.
Kat