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Mono in older people

Can older people get mono? I recently tested positive to a monospot test. I am 55years old and never heard of anyone in my age group getting mono. I thought it was the "kissing disease" which sure leaves me out!!!


This discussion is related to Mononucleosis -.
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1264919 tn?1270050287
Hi Sue, I also was diagnosed with Mono back in Jan, 2010. I'm 44 years old. So yes people our age can get this, usually from becoming run down, or like me I have a very weak immune system. The doctor said that it was def. a reinfection, & I saw the bloodwork myself, so yes I did have it before at some point but just didnt know it??  I have had this bout since Thanksgiving(Im pretty sure? around the time I started feeling sick & really exhausted). I have been on antibiotics numerous times because I keep getting strep throat along with this, and predisone 3 times, this time Im on a 6week taper down dose. I'm not sure what your doctor is doing to help you, most just tell you to get plenty of rest, drink alot of liquids, and listen to your body, but that was not helping with me...my spleen was swollen, I was in horrible pain throughout my body, and stayed sick. So keep asking your doctor questions if your not getting any relief, or not getting any better. I too thought you could not get this at our age, but yes a low percentage do come down with it again, usually people with immune system problems. I hope you start to feel better soon, I can def. understand what your going through, this is so much worse at our age & harder to fight off it seems. If you need someone to talk too, I would be more than happy to share my experience with this. take care! Tammy
Helpful - 0
363281 tn?1643235611
COMMUNITY LEADER
You both sound like you have "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", this can copy the symptoms of the mono, but it isn't. You will even have a high EBV reading with it.

Here is a great site on it:
http://www.cdc.gov/CFS/

More info:
Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest. Although there are many theories about what causes this condition — ranging from viral infections to psychological stress — in most cases the cause is still unknown.

Because its symptoms are difficult to measure, CFS wasn't widely accepted as a real medical condition for several years. Today, however, doctors and researchers agree that this chronic condition should be taken seriously.

Although an underlying cause often isn't found, effective treatments for the signs and symptoms of CFS are available. Many people recover from chronic fatigue syndrome over time.

Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff

People with chronic fatigue syndrome may experience a variety of signs and symptoms that come and go frequently with no identifiable pattern.

Primary signs and symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome has eight official symptoms, plus the central symptom that gives the condition its name:

Fatigue
Loss of memory or concentration
Sore throat
Painful and mildly enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits
Unexplained muscle pain
Pain that moves from one joint to another without swelling or redness
Headache of a new type, pattern or severity
Unrefreshing sleep
Extreme exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise
Additional signs and symptoms
In addition, people with chronic fatigue syndrome have reported other various signs and symptoms that aren't part of the official definition. These include:

Abdominal pain
Allergies or sensitivities to foods, alcohol, odors, chemicals, medications or noise
Bloating
Chest pain
Chronic cough
Diarrhea
Dizziness, balance problems or fainting
Dry mouth
Earache
Irregular heartbeat
Jaw pain
Morning stiffness
Nausea
Chills and night sweats
Psychological problems, such as depression, irritability, anxiety disorders and panic attacks
Shortness of breath
Tingling sensations
Visual disturbances, such as blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain and dry eyes
Weight loss or gain
If you have chronic fatigue syndrome, your symptoms may peak and become stable early on, and then come and go over time. Some people go on to recover completely, while others grow progressively worse.

Some causes
By Mayo Clinic staff

Of all chronic illnesses, chronic fatigue syndrome is one of the most mysterious. Several possible causes have been proposed, including:

Depression
Iron deficiency anemia
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
History of allergies
Virus infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or human herpesvirus 6
Dysfunction in the immune system
Changes in the levels of hormones produced in the hypothalamus, pituitary glands or adrenal glands
Mild, chronic low blood pressure (hypotension)

Here is a link to the Mayo clinic site for more info on this:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395

I hope this helps and good luck.
Helpful - 0
919623 tn?1258154330
HI Sue,
I'm 48 and I tested positive for Ebstien Barr Virus. They say I had it before and I have it again. I never ever knew I had it before so it's a new one on me! I know I feel like, well like I've never felt before and I'm so amazingly wiped out, it's pathetic!  Only what do you do? I see people say, let your body rest, but what if you are single and have no other means of support? You can't just kick back and take it easy, you have to push and beg god for strength to get through the day! I look at myself in the mirror these days and just cry because I look so worn out! I'm not pretty anymore, I'm run down! I hope you are doing better!
Helpful - 0
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363281 tn?1643235611
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way off the beaten track!, BC
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