Can Mono Be Caught Twice?

Most people who have mono (infectious mononucleosis) will have it only once. But rarely, mononucleosis symptoms may recur months or even years later. Most cases of mononucleosis are caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Can you get mono again if you've had it before?

Most of the time, a person will have mononucleosis once. However, it is possible to experience mono twice. Since the body develops immunity to the virus after contracting the infection, most people do not experience mono twice. However, in some cases, symptoms can reoccur months after acquiring the initial infection.

What causes mono to return?

Mono can recur because the body does not get rid of the virus even after the symptoms of the infection disappear. 3 Once a person becomes infected with mono, EBV stays in their body for life by remaining in tissues and immune cells. While the body still carries the virus, it is dormant.