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Relapse of Mono?
Hello,
I had an unprotected exposure 2.5 weeks ago. I was diagnosed with Mononucleosis that began about 7 weeks ago. I thought the mono had mostly gone away, but then a few days ago I got tired and headaches returned. I haven't had a fever at any point during mono and still don't have one. I was just wondering if this is likely to be a mono relapse, or if you can get ARS with out a fever just fatigue and headache.
I had an unprotected exposure 2.5 weeks ago. I was diagnosed with Mononucleosis that began about 7 weeks ago. I thought the mono had mostly gone away, but then a few days ago I got tired and headaches returned. I haven't had a fever at any point during mono and still don't have one. I was just wondering if this is likely to be a mono relapse, or if you can get ARS with out a fever just fatigue and headache.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the addtional information. The timing of your mononucleosis was not a coincidence. Although often described as a "kissing" disease, transmitted by saliva, in fact mono is primarily an STD, with over 90% of cases acquired during intercourse. You probably caught it from whomever you had sex with in the 3-6 weeks before your symptoms started. Most cases with the virus that causes mono are asymptomatic, so absence of obvious mono in a partner doesn't mean much.
With respect to HIV, this information does not change my assessment or advice; I see no serious concern about HIV. But since you acquired 2 STDs (chlamydia and mono) then routine HIV and syphilis testing makes sense, if not yet done. Discuss it with the doctor treating your mono. You can expect both tests to remain negative.
Condoms would have prevented chlamydia for sure and probably the mononucleosis -- a lesson learned! Congratulations on plans for safer sex in the future!.
With respect to HIV, this information does not change my assessment or advice; I see no serious concern about HIV. But since you acquired 2 STDs (chlamydia and mono) then routine HIV and syphilis testing makes sense, if not yet done. Discuss it with the doctor treating your mono. You can expect both tests to remain negative.
Condoms would have prevented chlamydia for sure and probably the mononucleosis -- a lesson learned! Congratulations on plans for safer sex in the future!.
Note: I was treated for the Chlamydia completely before engaging in any sexual activity.
Thank you for your help and for letting me know that you needed more information.
Thank you for your help and for letting me know that you needed more information.
I am a 21 year old heterosexual female and have had three unprotected encounters with 2 different strictly heterosexual men, both non-iv drug users. I acquired Chlamydia I believe from the first man and at this time (2 weeks past exposure) was tested for HIV. It was also this same week after this particular encounter that the mono symptoms started and I tested positive on a mono spot test. I am not too concerned about this first exposure as the symptoms were linked to mono, but more to the second man because of the slight relapse of mono symptoms. I also do have a weak sore throat. The symptoms are all the same as what I experienced in the middle (weaker part) of my mono illness. I am now practicing 100% protected sex every time!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the HIV forum.
As Dr. Hook told you when you asked a question several months ago, ARS rarely presents with just one or two symptoms. Although headache and fatigue often are part of it, those symptoms alone are not suggestive of ARS; and fever is present in the large majority of cases, so its absence is further evidence against ARS.
On this forum, we try to assess risk from the overall context, including the nature of the risk as well as symptoms. You don't describe the nature of your sexual exposure, which is critical in assessing your risk. Perhaps most important, in neither this question nor the one last February do you say whether you are male or female. If male and you have had unprotected anal sex with other men, your HIV risk is very high, at least 100 times greater than if you are a woman having sex with men who are themselves strictly heterosexual and not injection drug users.
Despite symptoms that don't suggest HIV, if you are at high risk as suggested above, I recommend you see a provider who is knowledgeable about acute HIV infection and follow his or her advice about possible testing. If you are a woman at low risk, as I suspect, you do not need testing in this situation. Of course, you can always do it anyway if you remain nervous despite this reassurance.
And finally, regardless of your and your partners' sex, and assuming your sexual activity is with non-monogamous partners, please get in the condom habit. It saddens me to hear about high risk exposures without common sense protection.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
As Dr. Hook told you when you asked a question several months ago, ARS rarely presents with just one or two symptoms. Although headache and fatigue often are part of it, those symptoms alone are not suggestive of ARS; and fever is present in the large majority of cases, so its absence is further evidence against ARS.
On this forum, we try to assess risk from the overall context, including the nature of the risk as well as symptoms. You don't describe the nature of your sexual exposure, which is critical in assessing your risk. Perhaps most important, in neither this question nor the one last February do you say whether you are male or female. If male and you have had unprotected anal sex with other men, your HIV risk is very high, at least 100 times greater than if you are a woman having sex with men who are themselves strictly heterosexual and not injection drug users.
Despite symptoms that don't suggest HIV, if you are at high risk as suggested above, I recommend you see a provider who is knowledgeable about acute HIV infection and follow his or her advice about possible testing. If you are a woman at low risk, as I suspect, you do not need testing in this situation. Of course, you can always do it anyway if you remain nervous despite this reassurance.
And finally, regardless of your and your partners' sex, and assuming your sexual activity is with non-monogamous partners, please get in the condom habit. It saddens me to hear about high risk exposures without common sense protection.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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