Will contracting mononucleosis keep you out of the workforce?

Can getting this disease keep you out of the workforce?
Or out of school?

How long?

Not normally, but, it depends on what you do. I continued to work while I had it, but, I wasn't coughing and I didn't have strep throat with mine. I had to be VERY CAREFUL about lifting though---I worked as a paramedic and my gear alone was 140 pounds, and I didn't have a partner.

Yes it will. Mononucleosis requires much rest in order to recouperate. It can also be contagious; especially through kissing.

it kinda just depends on how bad it hits you and what your job involves. i went to work every day with it but my cousin was in bed for 4 weeks when she got it. just be careful because it causes your spleen to enlarge and pressure or force of some sort could cause it to rupture.

If you want sometime off, ask your Doctor about it, there's something called the FMLA (might be FLMA) laws. It allows a leave of medical absence for up to 12 weeks with short term disability. He might be able to write a litter for you and give it to your employer

Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). EBV is highly contagious through saliva, blood, and genital secretions. However, about 90% of the population have been exposed to EBV by the time they're adults, so EBV sufferers needn't be overly paranoid about being contagious.

EBV is diagnosed via a blood screen for EBV antibodies. Strep throat often accompanies mononucleosis, so antibiotics are sometimes given for the strep, but antibiotics don't affect mononucleosis as it's caused by a virus.

Mononucleosis can cause temporary enlargement and tenderness of the liver and spleen as your body fights the virus. If this happens you must avoid strenuous activity until the tenderness dissipates.

Mononucleosis can cause fever, malaise, and fatigue for several weeks up to several months.

It isn't always clear how long someone with EBV is contagious. Some people continue to occasionally shed the virus in their saliva for weeks, months, or even years after they're infected.

Short answer? You should stay home from work or school if you have mono with strep throat; if you have an elevated temperature; or if you're extremely fatigued.

Some good sources for mono/EBV are
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mononuc...
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/mononucle...
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutor... (great tutorial learning tool)

You can only "catch" mononucleosis once, as your body manufactures antibodies to the virus. Cytomegalovirus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutor... is similar to mononucleosis, and some people with CMV mistakenly think they've got mono again.

There has been some discussion about chronic mononucleosis, but some physicians feel it does not exist.