Roommate has mono. What should I do?

[frito833]

My roommate was diagnosed with Mononucleosis and after reading health websites, I'm at very high risk because we share dishes and share groceries. My roommate is also my coworker so I'm in contact with him all day. My question is should I move out and into one of those extended stay motels? Will one of those mask over the mouth help? Also, can I get mono if he sneezes or coughs at me say in an arms length? I'm freaking out because my boss called and says he can't tolerate both of us not working for a month.

[terces]

I would think by now you been exposed and if your gonna get it you will. Sometimes your immune system defends you against it. When dh and I were dating I came down with mono... he never got it and we shared more than just dishes, etc. Nobody in the family got it either. Just lucky me

[frito833]

Well, I got 2 of the symptoms already, muscle soreness and being fatigue but I also workout at the gym lifting weights so it's hard to tell. Oh, to clear things up on my first post, we are just roommates and nothing more.

[MonkeyMama]

Having had mono, if it's possible you haven't gotten it yet (who knows) I would definitely move out!!!!

It affects everyone differently. I Was completely bed ridden 2 months, which was a little extreme. But also, it can leave you feeling run down for MANY months. I could be biased, but I'd want to avoid it. IT is VERY contagious.

All that being said, if you move out and are sick anyway, not sure how helpful that is. It's a toughie!

Good luck on that one - I do hope you stay well.

[MonkeyMama]

Originally Posted by terces

I would think by now you been exposed and if your gonna get it you will. Sometimes your immune system defends you against it. When dh and I were dating I came down with mono... he never got it and we shared more than just dishes, etc. Nobody in the family got it either. Just lucky me

That's true. When I had mono I didn't know a soul who had it (with symptoms anyway) and didn't pass it on to anyone. Just later heard it had been going around the college campus.

[myrdale]

What should you do? How about not make out with him!?!

All joking aside though, I don't know that I would go so far as too move out of the house. I would not share the same drinks / dishes with him (unwashed), but then again I would not drink after him even if he was not sick.

I've always thought people wearing the dust mask was really kind of silly. Dust mask are good for particulate matter such as "dust", but I kind of doubt their ability to fend off viruses.

It'd be a good practice to limit the time your in extremely close proximity to him, no snuggling on the couch, but I don't think being in the same room is so much of a problem.

I'd also put extra effort in just general house keeping chores. Also open up the windows and doors, let a little sun shine and fresh air in!

I would not spend much time worrying about the boss.

Mono can have an incubation period of a couple of months. So if you were infected today, it may be a while before it really shows. Maybe someone with a medical back ground can chime in.

[snafu]

Incubation is 30 - 50 days so there is little point in moving out after the fact. It is viral so avoiding mucus from your roomie is extremely important. Make sure used tissue is kept in a sealed bag. Roomie needs to cough/sneeze with tissue covering mouth & nose.

Keep all dishware/flatware/utensils/bedding totally separate. After washing, rinse with boiling water as an extra precaution. Wash bedding/towels in hot water; adding diluted bleach is a good idea if you can do so without wrecking everything.

Wash your hands a lot, use sanitizer and keep them away from face, nose, mouth, ears as much as practical. Eat healthy to keep up your own immunity and add a high potency multi vitamin. Avoid stress.

[Saving_spree]

Find out whether he is out of the infectious period.