For many people, symptoms of mono are mild or non-existent. Common symptoms include extremefatigue, sore throat, fever, and body aches.Many other conditions share these symptoms, so it’s important to see your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Roos Koole / Getty Images
Mononucleosis Recurrence
Also referred to as a latent infection, when a virus is dormant, it ceases to fight or replicate to take over cells. Essentially, it goes to sleep and no longer affects cells or causes symptoms. During this time, the body continues to create antibodies to fight the virus, which leads to immunity if the virus ever becomes active again.
In many cases, reactivation of EBV is not associated with new symptoms. The infection can again be spread to other people.
Although it is rare, mono can remain active for a long period of time and develop into achronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) infection.
Symptoms of Mononucleosis
Risk Factors for Recurrence
People who are especially at risk for a recurrence of mono are those with a compromised immune system, those who have undergone organ transplant surgery, and those who are pregnant.
People with weakened immune systems are most at risk for recurrence because the virus affects immune cells. If a person has defects in immune cells, fighting off the virus becomes significantly more difficult.
Causes and Risk Factors of Mononucleosis
Other Possible Causes of Symptoms
Symptoms of mono are similar to those of many other illnesses, so it can be easy to confuse a mono infection with another condition, such as:
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
If you have a recurrent infection, getting enough rest, fluids, and symptom relief is the best way to cope with the symptoms. Keeping your healthcare provider up-to-date on the progression of the illness will help them provide you with the best medical advice.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. Once you have had mono, the virus lays dormant in your body after symptoms go away. For most people, the virus only causes symptoms once. However, sometimes a latent infection can cause a recurrence of mono symptoms.While it is unclear exactly why this happens, it is believed physical or emotional stress may be the culprit. During a recurrence, you may be able to spread the virus to others.Yes. The Epstein-Barr virus that causes mononucleosis stays in your body after an infection. You cannot catch mono twice. If you have already had mono, you do not have to worry about catching it again if you are re-exposed.It depends on the test. Laboratory tests for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies can remain positive for decades. In-office tests that use a drop of blood to check for EBV antibodies can remain positive for up to a year. However, rapid mononucleosis tests are no longer recommended for diagnosing mono due to a high rate of false negatives and positives.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Once you have had mono, the virus lays dormant in your body after symptoms go away. For most people, the virus only causes symptoms once. However, sometimes a latent infection can cause a recurrence of mono symptoms.While it is unclear exactly why this happens, it is believed physical or emotional stress may be the culprit. During a recurrence, you may be able to spread the virus to others.
No. Once you have had mono, the virus lays dormant in your body after symptoms go away. For most people, the virus only causes symptoms once. However, sometimes a latent infection can cause a recurrence of mono symptoms.
While it is unclear exactly why this happens, it is believed physical or emotional stress may be the culprit. During a recurrence, you may be able to spread the virus to others.
Yes. The Epstein-Barr virus that causes mononucleosis stays in your body after an infection. You cannot catch mono twice. If you have already had mono, you do not have to worry about catching it again if you are re-exposed.
It depends on the test. Laboratory tests for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies can remain positive for decades. In-office tests that use a drop of blood to check for EBV antibodies can remain positive for up to a year. However, rapid mononucleosis tests are no longer recommended for diagnosing mono due to a high rate of false negatives and positives.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Balfour HH Jr, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology.2015 Feb 27;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1Traylen CM, Patel HR, Fondaw W, Mahatme S, Williams JF, Walker LR, Dyson OF, Arce S, Akula SM.Virus reactivation: a panoramic view in human infections.Future Virol.2011 Apr;6(4):451-463. doi:10.2217/fvl.11.21Kimura H, Cohen JI.Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease.Front Immunol.2017 Dec 22;8:1867. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01867Cunningham MW.Streptococcus and rheumatic fever.Curr Opin Rheumatol.2012 Jul;24(4):408-416. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e32835461d3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cytomegalovirus.Koenig KL, Shastry S, Burns MJ.Hepatitis A virus: essential knowledge and a novel identify-isolate-inform tool for frontline healthcare providers.West J Emerg Med.2017 Oct;18(6):1000-1007. doi:10.5811/westjem.2017.10.35983Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rubella (German measles, three-day measles).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Laboratory testing for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Balfour HH Jr, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology.2015 Feb 27;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1Traylen CM, Patel HR, Fondaw W, Mahatme S, Williams JF, Walker LR, Dyson OF, Arce S, Akula SM.Virus reactivation: a panoramic view in human infections.Future Virol.2011 Apr;6(4):451-463. doi:10.2217/fvl.11.21Kimura H, Cohen JI.Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease.Front Immunol.2017 Dec 22;8:1867. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01867Cunningham MW.Streptococcus and rheumatic fever.Curr Opin Rheumatol.2012 Jul;24(4):408-416. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e32835461d3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cytomegalovirus.Koenig KL, Shastry S, Burns MJ.Hepatitis A virus: essential knowledge and a novel identify-isolate-inform tool for frontline healthcare providers.West J Emerg Med.2017 Oct;18(6):1000-1007. doi:10.5811/westjem.2017.10.35983Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rubella (German measles, three-day measles).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Laboratory testing for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Balfour HH Jr, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology.2015 Feb 27;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1Traylen CM, Patel HR, Fondaw W, Mahatme S, Williams JF, Walker LR, Dyson OF, Arce S, Akula SM.Virus reactivation: a panoramic view in human infections.Future Virol.2011 Apr;6(4):451-463. doi:10.2217/fvl.11.21Kimura H, Cohen JI.Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease.Front Immunol.2017 Dec 22;8:1867. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01867Cunningham MW.Streptococcus and rheumatic fever.Curr Opin Rheumatol.2012 Jul;24(4):408-416. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e32835461d3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cytomegalovirus.Koenig KL, Shastry S, Burns MJ.Hepatitis A virus: essential knowledge and a novel identify-isolate-inform tool for frontline healthcare providers.West J Emerg Med.2017 Oct;18(6):1000-1007. doi:10.5811/westjem.2017.10.35983Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rubella (German measles, three-day measles).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Laboratory testing for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Balfour HH Jr, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology.2015 Feb 27;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1
Traylen CM, Patel HR, Fondaw W, Mahatme S, Williams JF, Walker LR, Dyson OF, Arce S, Akula SM.Virus reactivation: a panoramic view in human infections.Future Virol.2011 Apr;6(4):451-463. doi:10.2217/fvl.11.21
Kimura H, Cohen JI.Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease.Front Immunol.2017 Dec 22;8:1867. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01867
Cunningham MW.Streptococcus and rheumatic fever.Curr Opin Rheumatol.2012 Jul;24(4):408-416. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e32835461d3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cytomegalovirus.
Koenig KL, Shastry S, Burns MJ.Hepatitis A virus: essential knowledge and a novel identify-isolate-inform tool for frontline healthcare providers.West J Emerg Med.2017 Oct;18(6):1000-1007. doi:10.5811/westjem.2017.10.35983
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rubella (German measles, three-day measles).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Laboratory testing for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
