• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

Amoxicillin & reactivated EBV/ADVICE NEEDED!!!

F

FernRhizome

Senior Member
Messages
412
My doctor prescribed Amoxicillin, a pennicillin type antibiotic for a bacterial infection I am struggling with. I just read the info sheet that comes with it and it mentions that you should tell your doctor your medical history especially tell them if you've had infectious mononucleosis.

Why would a past history of mono matter when taking an antibiotic 25 years later?

I also have reactived EBV levels. Does this mean I can't take Amoxicillin? Could it cause a relapse? I thought Amoxicillin was quite common and so is EBV.

I was supposed to start it today. Would love any info from someone who knows about this ASAP. Many thanks. ~Fern
 
F

FernRhizome

Senior Member
Messages
412
I called my pharmacist and he said if one has had mono there is a 58% greater chance of developing an allergic rash to amoxicillin. I have to try an antibiotic, however, and this is the only one my doc is willing to try me on right now. I am trying a low dose. Anyone else with activated EBV taking amoxicillin?
 
Timaca

Timaca

Senior Member
Messages
792
My limited understanding is that if someone has a current EBV infection (acute---I don't know about chronic), and if they take amoxicillin, they may end up getting a rash. My son had a prolonged fever, he was given amoxicillin, in case there was a bacterial component to his illness. The next day he had full body hives, that were very itchy. He went back to the doctor, and they thought it was an allergic reaction to the amoxicillin, and not a rash due to EBV/amoxicillin combination. They did a monospot test which checks for EBV. It was negative. Because the rash was also itchy, they felt my son had had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin and did not have EBV. Apparently if you have EBV (acute) and are given amoxicillin you can end up with a rash (non-itchy).

You can always call your doctor and ask for his advice before taking the medicine. That would be your best best in getting your questions answered.

You can read about the rash under "physical" in this article: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/963894-overview

This talks about the rash too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infectious_mononucleosis

Best, Timaca
 
You must log in or register to reply here.