4 ms·

I had a terrible reaction to penicillin during a bout of mononucleosis. I've read that it's not uncommon to have a negative reaction to it when you have mono, a

I had a terrible reaction to penicillin during a bout of mononucleosis. I've read that it's not uncommon to have a negative reaction to it when you have mono, and that it doesn't indicate an allergy, so I'm not sure I actually have an allergy. I never had a problem with it prior to that. It was such a bad reaction that I don't want to take a chance, though. Every few years, I explain this to a doctor, and when I give them the details, they usually respond along the lines of "yeaaaaah, let's keep avoiding that." One of these days I'd like to get a controlled allergy test for it, but meanwhile, it gets listed as my only allergy to anything.

detritus 8y ago
Huh. Thanks for this - I'm in exactly the same boat! This hasn't really caused me any problem over the past twenty years since I was first 'diagnosed', but it would be handy to resolve in case it's not actually an issue at all. Mind you, I'd prefer to avoid antibiotics, and by the time I get around to taking a proper test, Penicillin may well be completely useless in the face of resistant threats anyway! Oh, happy days...
firebird84 8y ago
All the doctors I meet are generally VERY risk averse. I explain something similar and they're quite happy to keep avoiding it.
- jazoom 8y ago
  I'm pretty happy to prescribe a medication if a patient wants to give it a go, as long as the previous reaction wasn't anaphylaxis.
- caymanjim 8y ago
  I'd be happy to keep avoiding it as well, since there are other antibiotics that are effective, however amoxicillin is still the preferred frontline treatment for a number of things. The one that affects me most is that I've had recurring ear infections over the past few years, and it's putting a real damper on my scuba diving. Anything that can fix me faster would be nice.
jazoom 8y ago
It's well-known amongst doctors that giving amoxicillin for infectious mononucleosis can lead to a crazy rash. Is this what you are referring to? By the way, infectious mononucleosis is caused by a virus, so any antibiotic would be useless.
- caymanjim 8y ago
  In my case it was more than a rash, it was head-to-toe full-body blistering. I still suspect it was due to the mono, which is why I'd like a real allergy test for it. It isn't something I'd willingly subject myself to a full dose of without supervision, though. The original diagnosis, either coincident or simply incorrect, was strep throat, hence the antibiotic.
  - jazoom 8y ago
    Yes. That's why antibiotics are erroneously given for infectious mononucleosis. It looks similar to a strep throat.

detritus 8y ago

Huh. Thanks for this - I'm in exactly the same boat! This hasn't really caused me any problem over the past twenty years since I was first 'diagnosed', but it would be handy to resolve in case it's not actually an issue at all. Mind you, I'd prefer to avoid antibiotics, and by the time I get around to taking a proper test, Penicillin may well be completely useless in the face of resistant threats anyway! Oh, happy days...

firebird84 8y ago

All the doctors I meet are generally VERY risk averse. I explain something similar and they're quite happy to keep avoiding it.

jazoom 8y ago
I'm pretty happy to prescribe a medication if a patient wants to give it a go, as long as the previous reaction wasn't anaphylaxis.
caymanjim 8y ago
I'd be happy to keep avoiding it as well, since there are other antibiotics that are effective, however amoxicillin is still the preferred frontline treatment for a number of things. The one that affects me most is that I've had recurring ear infections over the past few years, and it's putting a real damper on my scuba diving. Anything that can fix me faster would be nice.

jazoom 8y ago

It's well-known amongst doctors that giving amoxicillin for infectious mononucleosis can lead to a crazy rash. Is this what you are referring to? By the way, infectious mononucleosis is caused by a virus, so any antibiotic would be useless.

caymanjim 8y ago
In my case it was more than a rash, it was head-to-toe full-body blistering. I still suspect it was due to the mono, which is why I'd like a real allergy test for it. It isn't something I'd willingly subject myself to a full dose of without supervision, though. The original diagnosis, either coincident or simply incorrect, was strep throat, hence the antibiotic.
- jazoom 8y ago
  Yes. That's why antibiotics are erroneously given for infectious mononucleosis. It looks similar to a strep throat.