Mono

I had mono about a year ago and was worried about my 9 month old getting it. Neither she nor my husband were infected.

Very few children as young as yours get mono. A little over a year ago my daughter (16 at the time) had mono. I have 6 children. She is my 2nd child and my youngest was 5. I was worried about the same thing, but after researching (and talking to my brother-in-law who is a pediatrician), I stopped worrying. No one else in my family got mono.

S., my 16 year old was recently diagnosed with mono as well. I have 4 more children at home and no one has come down with it yet. You pretty much have to share saliva to contact mono. This is where it gets its nitckname "the kissing disease". The incubation period is way over,cause you have it like 6-8 weeks before you know you do. My son complained at times he was tired and just go to bed. Or that his body would hurt. Thought he might have the flu. Tested negative then 3 days later complained of severe sore throat. Like swallowing knives he would say. Went back and tested for mono came back positive. If any of your children complain of flu like symptons then go to the dr. and let them know they have been in contact with mono. Other than that there is no cure or no shot to prevent it from happening. You can google mono and learn alot about it. D. S.

If it were me...
Don't stress about something that hasn't happened. If your children are not having symptoms, don't do anything. A doctor's visit will just include possibly harmful tests/ procedures anyway. Let nature take it's course. If they do get it, there's still natural ways to treat it. I would just wait it out. =)

If its been two weeks since your kids have been around her, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure they would have showed signs by now... They say mono is super contagious, but I think you have to be "exposed" at the right time for you to get it (meaning your immune system has to be very low) I myself have had mono twice, once in college and again about 5 yrs ago. Neither time when I had it no one around me, my husband, kid or any other family member got sick. I hope your step mom feels better soon mono is pretty miserable.

I would also be concerned about you, call your ob and ask what you should do?

I hope it all goes well with you and the kids.

A. J

I'd say wait until there's a problem, but you could look into natural ways to improve the immune system meanwhile; natural approaches like taking garlic, and omega 3 and whatever else. Look it up online or go to the bookstore/library and look for books on that kind of thing. There are lots of them out there!

Good luck!
A.

I had it when I was in High School and my boyfriend at the time drank after me and we kissed right before I found out that I had it and he never got it. Nor did my family.

Here's one more example of someone in the family having mono and no one else getting it. My 16 year old daughter had mono last fall. None of the five people in our family, the three people who carpool with her, nor any of her close friends got mono. She even takes sips of my drinks in the car sometimes, and I didn't catch it. Or rather, she used to take sips, because I won't let her anymore. She also shared sips of drinks with friends at school, which has also stopped. However, none of her friends had mono, so we don't know how she got it.

no advise on mono itself, but you should really try to stop your kids from drinking after you (especially while you are pregnant- but always) or each other- it's the number one way illness is spread. While you are pregnant you can't take so many meds for illnesses. Plus it is an unhealthy habit, even more dangerous (as far as health goes) than sharing a toothbrush.