My 16 yr old son was diagnosed today with mono. Are my 5 month old twins at risk? What should I do to keep them from catching it if so?

Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

Your children will eventually catch mononucleosis in their lives, but if they do catch it from their older brother, they are not likely to develop any major symptoms. Epstein-Barr (mononucleosis) virus infection in small children often go unnoticed, or passes for a common cold.

Mononucleosis is spread by saliva. Measures you can take for prevention include not sharing utensils, avoid very close contact, etc. Mononucleosis is not as easily spread, e.g. by coughing, as the common cold.

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