Can You Go To School If You Have Mono?

The patient with mono should not go to school before the condition and the symptoms subside as it is a contagious disease. Further, even after the symptoms subside, you should wait for a few days to disappear the virus from saliva.

Mononucleosis is the condition caused due to the Epstein Barr virus. This is a contagious disease and spread through the saliva of the infected person. The returning of the child to school is determined by several factors. The primary factor to be analyzed is the risk of disease to get spread. There are various ways through which an infected child may transfer the disease to his classmates. This includes common things such as doorknobs, switches of light and fan and sharing the meals. The other source of spreading includes handshakes and sneezing without putting the handkerchiefs. Although mononucleosis does not cause severe symptoms but may lead to various fatal consequences such as increased risk of cancer, hepatitis, jaundice, high fever, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and acute anemia. These complications, in absence of proper medical intervention, may lead to fatal consequences. Thus, the patient should not be sent to school in case the patient has the potential to spread this disease to classmates.

Another important parameter to consider in this decision is the ability of the child to go to school and perform. The symptoms of this disease include fever, weakness and fatigue, enlarged spleen, headache, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, swollen tonsils, and headache. These symptoms do not allow the child to concentrate and focus on studies. The fatigue and weakness related to mononucleosis will drain out the energy and may further worsen the condition. In such a condition, the body requires rest. Further, a child with swollen tonsils and sore throat has difficulty in breaking and swallowing. Thus, will not be able to eat properly further aggravating the fatigue. It has been found that most of the patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have infected with Epstein Barr virus, but this virus has not been shown to be responsible for chronic fatigue. Thus, chances are very high that you will be able to return to your school with the same zeal and enthusiasm within a matter of a few weeks. Further, contact games in school such as football may also increase the risk of spleen rupture, which is a serious condition. Due to fatigue, weakness, and fever, your chances of playing games are very dim.

Thus, it is advised to stay at home until your all symptoms subsided and you feel energetic as before prior to going to school.

The symptoms of mononucleosis are common and are similar to cold. The symptoms are self-limiting provided they should not progress into various complications such as anemia, lymphoma, thrombocytopenia, liver dysfunction, and other lymphoproliferative disorder.

Following are the symptoms associated with mononucleosis:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swollen tonsils
• A sore throat
• A headache
• Skin rash
• Splenomegaly

Recovery period in most of the mono patients is of a few weeks to 2-3 months but if there is chronic active Epstein Barr virus infection, the recovery period from chronic fatigue may take more than 6 months. The incubation period for this viral infection is one to one-and-a-half months. The incubation period is defined as the period counted from the day of infection to the presentation of the symptoms. Symptoms may subside after a month and the fatigue can be managed within 2 months. If the symptoms of fatigue persist for more than 2 months, evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome should be done. The patient should wait for complete recovery including symptoms as well as a weakness to resume regular activities.

Two major factors should be considered before concluding whether you should go to school while suffering or recovering from mononucleosis. One factor is the ability to spread the infection to classmates and the other factors are weakness and fatigue that does not allow you to focus and concentrate on both study and sports.

Also Read:

• Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) or Glandular Fever or Kissing Disease: Causes, Treatment
• A Guide on Early Symptoms of Mono: Signs of Mononucleosis in Adults and Toddlers