Pediatrician Questions Pediatrician

How long is mono contagious for?

My daughter was diagnosed with Mono. How long is mono contagious for?

1 Answer

PediatricianPediatrician
People infected with viruses, such as the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) that causes mononucleosis, can pass that virus to others for as long as they are "shedding" the virus. Each virus is transmitted in different ways; EBV is spread through respiratory secretions and droplets. It is impossible to predict for how long a patient will be shedding, and people who are not infected (symptomatic) but are colonized can shed without knowing it. This is the basis of "herd immunity" that has become such a hot topic with the Covid-19 virus.