Mono

[Battery]

Hi everybody.

I have just been told that I have Mono. I personally don't have any major symptoms other then a soar throat. After taking some Amoxicillin for what the Dr thought was strep throat, I developed a rash. Not the type of rash that you get when allergic to penicillin.

Anyways, after some blood work, Mono it is.

I haven't had any of the other symptoms associated with mono (low energy etc) and if they present them selves I will prob stop diving until they go away.

My main concern is a OOA situation. I have never had this happen and I am a very conservative diver but if it did, do you think that i pose a big risk to pass this along?

 

[jk47]

My understanding with mono (and I am not associated with the medical profession whatsoever so take this how you want) is that you can transmit it before you are sick, after you are sick, doesn't matter so much. The joke is always that it's not your family that will get it it's the person you run into at the grocery store - so if your buddy is a close friend you're with a lot maybe the wouldn't get it (if that's really true).

The flip side is that when I had mono, even when the fatigue was over I really was fundamentally compromised form a health and energy standpoint for months, with some residuals for a few years, and I think this is pretty common. You could be overexerting yourself without realizing it.

Have you talked with your physician about issues of contagion, exertion, diving, etc.? I would guess that if you push it you could turn what sounds like a really mild case into a full blown disaster. What if that happened underwater?

Hope you are feeling better soon

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Sean,

That's very admirable to be concerned with the well-being of others as well as yourself.

The literature suggests that mono is most contagious during the incubation period (when the individual will have no signs or symptoms), but it is also contagious when full-blown and for a couple of months afterwards. Fortunately, it is not virulently contagious.

Keep in mind that the virus causing mono can be transmitted not only via mouth to mouth transfer of saliva, but also by coughing, sneezing, and such activities as sharing dinking glasses and eating utensils.

As regards the likelihood of contracting mono from an OOA situation, here's a few thoughts as it hasn't been studied:

1. If an infected individual is only using another diver's second stage, then there is no reason for concern about transferring saliva. After the dive, the second stage can be disinfected by soaking it in a solution of water and bleach (the CDC recommends a solution of one cup of household bleach to one gallon of water; soak for 10 minutes; rinse well with clean, fresh water).

2. If for whatever reason buddy breathing involving sharing of a common reg is necessary, it seems likely that only a minuscule amount of saliva would be transferred by a reg mouthpiece passed back and forth only briefly during ascent and through the natural rinsing action of the water.

The diver who shared his reg would want to follow the disinfecting technique described above and to monitor him/herself for any signs or symptoms of mono, e.g., fatigue, weakness, sore throat (which, BTW, won't improve with antibiotics), fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, headache, skin rash, loss of appetite, night sweats, etc. occurring 4-6 weeks after exposure.

Helpful?

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Battery]

DocVikingo: Wow very helpful thank you. It is funny, I still don't know how I contacted mono. My wife had it before I knew her back in college. It was a pretty extreme case as well. I have been doing the usual webmd thing and learned that a person can transmit the virus for years after. I was quite surprised to see how common it is. I never knew that a lot of people have had Mono and never knew it.

jk47: I have an appointment with my Doctor this morning. I'll address diving specific questions with her. As of now I have only had a rash that is almost gone and soar throat which is almost gone. I haven't noticed any fatigue... yet.

Thanks again for the responses.

 

[Battery]

Well,

Disappointing day, Doctor says to stay out of the water for 6 weeks.

Apparently my spleen could be enlarged and she isn't comfortable with the added pressure.

D'oh!

 

[ScubaTexan]

I had the same reaction to Amoxycillin that you had (it looked alarmingly like the German Measels) after a sinus infection. The only difference is that now I'm allergic to Penicillin in all forms.

 

[Battery]

Yeah it was strange. It isn't that I am allergic to Amoxicillin, but when you have Mono and take it a rash can develop. So I heard.