CMV - infectious mono/glandular fever

Ears, nose and throat
1

Hi friends, hope everyone is doing alright.

Around 5 weeks ago I started feeling super tired and experiencing general flu-like symptoms (malaise, swollen lymph nodes in neck only, sore throat at night, muscle pain, burning eyes etc.). Went to my GP for a full check-up and discovered I have an active CMV infection → infectious mono/glandular fever.

What strikes me as odd as that I am a perfectly healthy 28 year old - bloodwork did not flag anything else and doctor told me I am a very healthy individual and that I should recover between 4-8 weeks.

I do not understand why I am getting hit so hard by an otherwise ‘benign’ virus (obviously not good for you but I am not immunocompromised) that other people can simply shrug off and do not get sick with. I have good and bad days, especially when I ‘overexert’ which means keeping up with daily life such as working my 9-5 and cleaning my house, not much time or energy for other activities.

I know I have had covid at least once - is it possible that it has somewhat weakened my immune system or just unlucky in the sense that I am more suspectible to this virus? I know many of us are not medical professionals but would like to hear other’s thoughts. For what it’s worth bloodwork did show a past EBV infection but not current.

I am starting to become concerned with how long this will go on - I recognise my privilege that I have never been this sick or for such a long period of time in my life.

I did a bit of research and found that there are antivirals that one can take to help the body fight off this pest of a virus - however the NHS will not prescribe them to me as I am not immunocompromised. Is it worth going to a private doctor to and paying for these myself? I just want get over this and back to my normal life - especially considering we are going into cold and flu season in a somewhat weakened state.

Thank you in advance for thoughts and comments.

2

Hi Kein,

It does go on for a long time everyone is different, five weeks is not long for this process. I also had mono after covid, which leaves you in a weakened state. You will find you will have good days or hours mixed with the down feelings of the virus, this eventually starts to fade but its a long process. All the best to you.

3

Hi there,
thanks for your note - it is somewhat demoralizing that as a healthy 28 year old its getting me this sick :frowning:
Have a private appointment with a specialist ID doctor to see what her opinion is regarding my situation/antivirals.
Had a really crappy past few days and i’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired. May sound whiny but its becoming a bit much!

4

I understand. My daughter, granddaughter and I all had it at the same time so we were able to see that it was just this virus as we all had these symptoms. We recovered and it took along time, I had a re activation after covid and all the same terrible symptoms came back.

I would try antivirals, that is an option we were never offered. I have said many times that I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. It does eventually lift.

5

Hi again, did you guys have EBV or CMV? from my understanding the infectious mono it produces is identical and symptoms are the same.

6

EBV