Is this going to be a problem?

[dano]

I've felt very run down and sick for the last week or so and I suspected mono. My doc ordered some bloodwork since they were out of MonoSpot tests in the office. It came back positive for mono.

On top of feeling like complete garbage I'm now worried that this may affect my ability to do clinicals. I'm not sure when they start exactly this semester, but from what I've read mono can be contagious for up to 6 months after you have it. I know it can only be contracted through saliva or sharing drinks, but it's still a virus and I'd rather err on the side of caution since it is other people's lives I could be putting at risk.

Am I worrying too much or this likely to be a problem?

[catlady, BSN, RN]

I think you have the responsibility to discuss it with your nursing program administrators. They may have a policy regarding clinicals and students with communicable diseases.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

The best qualified person to answer your questions is, of course, your own primary care provider. I'm sorry, but we cannot offer medical advice on this forum, and you will need to consult with your school's administrator or director as to what its policy is regarding students with infectious diseases. Mononucleosis is nothing to be taken lightly; patients are often ill for weeks, and an enlarged spleen---which is common with this disease---can put one at high risk for serious complications.

Please do yourself and your potential patients a favor, and get yourself properly treated before even THINKING about attending clinicals this fall.

Best of luck to you.