Do adults get mono?

[onlyCOpunk]

I was under the impression that adults build up an immunity to the virus, but a friend of mine just it, guess I was wrong. Just a little nervous though since I remember sharing a drink with them in the recent past.

 

[sash1]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
I was under the impression that adults build up an immunity to the virus.

not quite. the thing with mono is that the symptoms get worse as you get older. i've heard that most people get mono when they are very young but the symptoms are mostly cold/flu-like symptoms, ergo it goes undiagnosed. and once you've had mono you won't get it again. most people have already had mono by the time they get older and thus won't get it again, but it gets worse with age.

(ps: i have no actual proof for anything i just typed - though i'm pretty sure it's more or less correct)

edit: CNN clarified some things i just posted: article

just some snippets: "Young children usually have minimal symptoms, and the infection often goes unrecognized."

"Mononucleosis usually isn't very serious, although the virus remains in your body for life. Most people have been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus by the time they're 35 years old and have built up antibodies. They're immune and won't get mononucleosis again"

"In children between the ages of 4 and 15, the virus may cause a mild illness that resembles a common respiratory infection. In older adults, mononucleosis causes more severe signs and symptoms and lasts longer."

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Hmm at 25 I don't ever remember being officially diagnosed with mono. But I've known plenty of people who have gotten it growing up. Especially throughout the years sharing drinks, kissing, and surviving college.

Don't know if it would be safe to say whether or not I've built an immunity per say or had it without knowing when I was younger, so I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

 

[bobsmith1492]

Yes, I know personally of two people; one was about 25 and had it bad for about a month and the other was in her 40s and was just coming out of it at a month. It would seem it is indeed bad in adults particularly (like chicken pox?).