Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Cancer Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to cancer, cancer staging, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and tumor types.
chemo and exposure to mono
by bkjjec, Jun 02, 2008 11:22AM
My sister-in-law recently had a malignant tumor removed from her colon and 2 out of 13 lymph nodes removed were malignant. She is currently going through chemo and radiation through the summer. My three boys and I are scheduled to go visit them for the summer and stay in their home. My 9 year old came down with mononucleosis 10 days ago. Today he has no fever and is doing well but my concern is that he is supposed to be contagious for months. What are the risks to my sister? Should we be staying with someone else? Should we be canceling the trip since the boys will be spending lots of time with her daughters? I just have no idea what to do. Thanks
Member Comments (3)
by Fernando Roque, MD, Jun 02, 2008 07:54PM
, Jun 02, 2008 07:54PMTo: bkjjec
Hi. The virus causing infectious mononucleosis can be found in the infected person's saliva, so transmission is made through kissing or sharing of drinking glasses. Your sister-in-law is probably safe, as long as she doesn't come in close contact with your son. If you wish to be absolutely safe, however, it may be advisable to either stay with someone else or postpone the trip for another time (preferably after she's completed her chemotherapy). There is a risk that even if your sister-in-law doesn't get infected, someone in her household might come down with it because of exposure to your son (e.g. one of your nieces), and this will in turn, place your sister-in-law at greater risk for developing mononucleosis.
by bkjjec, Jun 02, 2008 08:05PM
To: Dr. Roque
Thank you for answering my question. Could you tell me how serious it would be for her to catch it in comparison to, say, the flu?
by Fernando Roque, MD, Jun 08, 2008 09:36PM
, Jun 08, 2008 09:36PMTo: bkjjec
Hi. Infectious mononucleosis is not as contagious as the flu, since the flu is an airborne pathogen and can travel greater distances and spread more rapidly to a wider area. Mononucleosis, by contrast, is transmitted only through direct contact with the person's saliva. However, you have to remember that your sister-in-law's immune system is depressed because of the chemotherapy, and she is more susceptible to catching pathogens which normal people would be more resistant to.
Post Comment
