Dr Hive? Question about mono

[Only me]

My family has been sick since New Years. My husband started with symptoms first-severe sore throat followed by an eventual cough. My youngest daughter got it a day or two later. She started with an intense sore throat and by the 6th she lost her voice. I took her to the doctor on the 7th. Strep was negative and they diagnosed her with a virus. My son got sick January 3rd. One minute he was fine. At dinner he looked pale and took his temperature. It was 100. By 10:00 it was close to 104. He also developed a severe sore throat and his face was a bit swollen. He only had a fever for a day or two but it went away quickly. He had a sore throat for over a week but didn't seem very sick. Since my daughter was diagnosed as having a virus I never took him to the doctor. I haven't been feeling well for a week but started with the intense sore throat a few days ago. My oldest daughter had had similar symptoms but not quite as severe.

 

Today I took my youngest daughter back to the doctor since her throat still looked so bad. She literally had no voice until yesterday and she is still hoarse. We went to a different doctor. They took a mono test and it was positive! What's also interesting is for 10 days back in mid December she was quite sick with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain (almost thought it was her appendix). The doctor just said it was a stomach virus. I've read now that mono can cause those symptoms well before and sometimes even instead of the sore throat.

 

I asked the doctor if she felt the whole family could have mono but she was pretty vague. I'm pretty sure my son had it due to his face swelling. I had it when I was 14 and the doctor said you can't get it twice. On the other hand, I read online that it's rare but you can get it again. I'm also immunocomprimosed due to meds I take for an autoimmune disorder so I'm not sure if that changes things. So if I don't have mono it's it ironic that we all have a similar illness as my daughter. We have all had intense sore throats.

 

At this point do you think the rest of us should be tested? I know there aren't any meds they can give us but I'm not sure if it would be better to know due to being contagious etc. My husband is pretty much better. My oldest daughter has also had a sore throat but she hasn't had it too bad. I'm am concerned though since she is starting student teaching next week, although apparently it's only contagious if you share a cup etc. My son's throat is 95% better but I worry about him overdoing it. They say the biggest concern is contact sports but he is in intense training right now for track including weight lifting, running and some pretty intense training type exercises. Would this be a concern? The doctor didn't really offer much feedback.

[sbgrace]

I think I would take your son in so that you can have recommendations about his physical activity.

 

I don't know what good it would do for anyone else. I'd assume I had mono, you included, in terms of contagiousness. Mono here has meant so wiped out physically with fatigue that getting off the couch was a major feat. Contagious wasn't on the radar. However, hubby got mono from sharing a landline phone with a coworker. It goes beyond cups.

[Ellie]

I think you all should be tested, just so you know.