My girlfriend has mono and now I'm feeling the same symptoms. I haven't seen a doctor yet, but I’m wondering if I can still drink alcohol if I think I might have mono. If I can't, why not?
- Mark*

People should avoid alcohol while they have mono. That's because mono and alcohol can each affect a person's liver. The two together could cause liver damage.

Since you haven't been diagnosed yet, hold off on drinking alcohol until you've seen a doctor or visited student health. If it turns out that you do have mono, you'll need to avoid alcohol for a few months, even after you start feeling better.

Reviewed by: Elana P. Ben Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: February 2013

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.