Insensitive Co-Workers... Maybe One Day They Will Understand

[Nor-TX]

I work in an elementary school and yesterday I found out that one of the staff has Mono. Apparently they diagnosed her on Friday and she came right back to school. I get Remicade every 5 weeks and the side effects is that my immune system is compromised. I try to stay away from sick kids/staff and I use lots of hand sanitizer. Well I was in this classroom and asked the teacher, "Aren't you sick with Mono? Shouldn't you be home? Are you contagious?" Another staff member, grabbed the sick teacher's head and slobbered on her lips and laughed at me and told me to "get over it."

She then grabbed the sick teacher's chapstick and smeared it over her lips while laughing at me.

I did some research on Mono and it seems that indeed this teacher is contagious and should be home. Am I the only one who thinks people should stay home when they are sick rather than spreading it around? I feel sorry for these young gals because as they age or get ill with some kind of a condition, they will want everyone to be kind to them as I wish they would be kind to me.

Just ranting... sorry.

[kareng]

In our school district, if she is contagious, she would not be allowed to work., ask the school nurse.

[lynnelise]

You are contagious with mono but it's not really airborne like a cold. You actually have to eat or drink or kiss the person. Something that would expose you to their saliva. The other teacher with the slobbering and the chapstick will probably catch mono. She sounds like a weirdo personally.

I do not work around children but when I had mono last year I had to work through it. Mono lasts MONTHS so taking the entire time off just isn't possible for most people if they want to keep their jobs.

[lynnelise]

Obviously I meant eat or drink AFTER them.

[Cypressmyst]

Wow. It sounds like there is some serious mental damage going on with that girl...tell her to lay off the gluten!

[summerteeth]

In my high school, when someone got mono they had to stay home until they got a doctor's note permitting them to return to school...

I think people should stay home when they are sick.

[lynnelise]

I do honestly get where you guys are coming from and if it was the flu or strep throat I would say this lady definately needs to stay home. The thing about mono is that you are contagious 2-4 weeks before you even have symptoms. You can continue to be contagious for up to 18 months AFTER symptoms disappear! Mono is in the same virus family as shingles, chicken pox, and herpes. It NEVER leaves your systems, but it goes through phases where it is dormant and non-contagious and phases where you actively shed the virus with or without symptoms. Most people only have one bout of active mono and never get symptoms again. My friend however has been diagnosed with chronic mono so at anytime she can be transmitting the virus.

Basically the only advice is don't eat or drink after anybody, ever, period. Even if they feel fine at that moment.

[curiousgirl]

I do honestly get where you guys are coming from and if it was the flu or strep throat I would say this lady definately needs to stay home. The thing about mono is that you are contagious 2-4 weeks before you even have symptoms. You can continue to be contagious for up to 18 months AFTER symptoms disappear! Mono is in the same virus family as shingles, chicken pox, and herpes. It NEVER leaves your systems, but it goes through phases where it is dormant and non-contagious and phases where you actively shed the virus with or without symptoms. Most people only have one bout of active mono and never get symptoms again. My friend however has been diagnosed with chronic mono so at anytime she can be transmitting the virus.

Basically the only advice is don't eat or drink after anybody, ever, period. Even if they feel fine at that moment.

Will it ever cease to amaze me how insensitive people are??? Geeeezzzz!

[lynnelise]

I'm sorry that I've obviously offended people with my supposed insensitivity! I was simply trying to say that with mono it isn't very easy to stay home until you are not contagious because every person and every case is different and you could be off for months. Doctors don't even know for sure how long each individual may be contagious.

Again I apologize if that is viewed to be insensitive. Maybe this forum isn't for me.

[Nor-TX]

I'm sorry that I've obviously offended people with my supposed insensitivity! I was simply trying to say that with mono it isn't very easy to stay home until you are not contagious because every person and every case is different and you could be off for months. Doctors don't even know for sure how long each individual may be contagious.

Again I apologize if that is viewed to be insensitive. Maybe this forum isn't for me.

I do not think Curiousgirl was refering to you when she said "insensitive". I believe she was refering to the young teacher at my school.... Please stay with the forum... we need you!

[lynnelise]

Thanks Nor_TX, I really meant my post to be educational because sadly I have a lot more experience than I'd like to have with mono!

I don't know what kinds of things you are able to take with your other meds or conditions but you may want to try Olive Leaf extract. Some studies show it can help suppress mono and similar viruses. It's also got some antibiotic like properties. My doctor recommended it when I had mono and shingles and it really seems to help. I get sick a lot less often when I take it and illnesses clear up faster.

[curiousgirl]

I do not think Curiousgirl was refering to you when she said "insensitive". I believe she was refering to the young teacher at my school.... Please stay with the forum... we need you!

Yes, I was referring to the teacher.

[Jestgar]

I do honestly get where you guys are coming from and if it was the flu or strep throat I would say this lady definately needs to stay home. The thing about mono is that you are contagious 2-4 weeks before you even have symptoms. You can continue to be contagious for up to 18 months AFTER symptoms disappear! Mono is in the same virus family as shingles, chicken pox, and herpes. It NEVER leaves your systems, but it goes through phases where it is dormant and non-contagious and phases where you actively shed the virus with or without symptoms. Most people only have one bout of active mono and never get symptoms again. My friend however has been diagnosed with chronic mono so at anytime she can be transmitting the virus.

Basically the only advice is don't eat or drink after anybody, ever, period. Even if they feel fine at that moment.

hm. I had no idea. Thanks for all the info.

[tarnalberry]

Insensitive? Meh, maybe. Mostly just immature. This has nothing to do with your food and everything to do with a crackpot.