Article on Mononucleosis and AIs

[Judie P]

I was looking at something totally different when I ran across this article.  I am glad they show the pros and cons in this article, but I still think it is significant research going in the right direction.  The article caught my eye because I had Mono for a month when I was 18.  No one in my family ever had Mono and no one in my family has an AI disease outside of Type 2 diabetes.  Just plain interesting that I have Primary SjS.

http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/mono-may-increase-your-risk-these-other-diseases

[Liz D.]

Judie,

Thanks for posting.   I had the same situation as you too, except mono at 20.  I've always felt that was the root cause of my primary Sjogrens.

Liz D.

[jazzlover]

I was never the same after having had mono at age 17.

I also had Lyme disease.

[Carolina]

I had severe mononucleosis at age 18.   I consider it to be part of my Immune Disorder history. 

I don't have an AI diagnosis (no autoantibodies) but my entire history from birth shows many illnesses and 'disorders' that demonstrate that my Immune System has always been compromised.

I think that the 'triggering event' for the escalating crash of my Immune system may have been the kidney infection with e-coli, in 2005.   I had e-coli circulating in blood by the time I went to the ER and was rescued with IV antibiotics.  I was 24 hours away from becoming septic, certainly a serious assault on my body.

I already had a long history, and had developed dry eye/dry mouth, diagnosed as Sjogren's (without autoantibodies) in 2002.  But it was after the kidney infection in 2005 that I rapidly went down hill, with one horrible condition after another.

Fortunately I found this Forum in 2010 and gained a sense of community and empowerment from those who reach out to each other with wisdom, solutions and support.

Regards,  Elaine

[SabbraCadabra]

I was 17 when I contracted mono, but I've had SJS for as long as I can recall.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

There was a poll on here once about mono. some of us have had it - and some not. It was pretty equal.

Take care - Scottie