I can't believe I actually DID that. Now bathing in the consequences.

[MorningGlory]

For about a 2 month period- I have been struggling with severe health anxiety for the first time in my life. I am a 21 year old college student, and before Saturday night, I have not socialized in months. After getting a couple tests done and finally feeling like my normal self, I decided to go out with friends to a house party to have some fun and do what people my age do. Stupidly forgetting my limits, I was pretty tipsy in the party, and stupidly accepted a huge Jack Daniels*? bottle that was filled with beer, and took one sip. I am now CRINGING on doing that- for mono would be horrible.

I am VERY scared of mono. Knowing that these things circulate in college, I refuse to share my makeup or drinks with even my sister and roommate who I would have noticed could be sick. And then I completely BLOW it taking a sip out of that thing! I have no idea if it was being used to pour and I was the first person to take a sip out of it, or if it was passed around and multiple people took a sip out of it. I know it takes 4-6 weeks for symptoms to show, but I can't help but be overcome by worry about getting it. I have a long distance boyfriend who planned on taking me to a very special event during the time that I would get sick, and then have a very exciting summer ahead of me. I know mono can last for months!

So my question is- what are my chances of getting it? Do you think I will get it? What advice can you give me to calm my worries? Thank you so, so much. Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated!

[Slangevar]

You know, it wouldn't be such a bad thing to get mono at your age. Like chicken pox, it tends to be milder in younger individuals. I had it in middle school and it was nothing more than a minor cold that hung around for a few weeks.

[MorningGlory]

My twin sister had it, for a month- and I am underweight trying to gain some pounds! Also, I would be sick during finals this semester. Hoping I didn't get it!

[trainwreck]

For about a 2 month period- I have been struggling with severe health anxiety for the first time in my life. I am a 21 year old college student, and before Saturday night, I have not socialized in months. After getting a couple tests done and finally feeling like my normal self, I decided to go out with friends to a house party to have some fun and do what people my age do. Stupidly forgetting my limits, I was pretty tipsy in the party, and stupidly accepted a huge Jack Daniels*? bottle that was filled with beer, and took one sip. I am now CRINGING on doing that- for mono would be horrible.

I am VERY scared of mono. Knowing that these things circulate in college, I refuse to share my makeup or drinks with even my sister and roommate who I would have noticed could be sick. And then I completely BLOW it taking a sip out of that thing! I have no idea if it was being used to pour and I was the first person to take a sip out of it, or if it was passed around and multiple people took a sip out of it. I know it takes 4-6 weeks for symptoms to show, but I can't help but be overcome by worry about getting it. I have a long distance boyfriend who planned on taking me to a very special event during the time that I would get sick, and then have a very exciting summer ahead of me. I know mono can last for months!

So my question is- what are my chances of getting it? Do you think I will get it? What advice can you give me to calm my worries? Thank you so, so much. Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated!

Your chances of mono are extremely remote. My son's girlfriend had it and he didnt catch it. 
Now let me go into "Dad" mode.   
1- Never, ever, ever, drink a drink that is not yours.  Never let your drink sit where you cant see it. 
2- You are too young to drink!  (I know college students do it, but I feel obligated to chastise you.)     
3- When you were out with your friends, did your symptoms remain? 

[mollyfin]

21 is legal drinking age, so she's technically not too young.  But yes, never drink anything you don't see opened or set anything open down out of your sight. 

As for mono, it's very unlikely that you're going to get it, or anything else.  It could happen, but you probably won't.  Stay healthy, get lots of sleep, eat well, etc, you'll be fine.  And it's probably wise not to share drinks anyway - you likely won't get mono, but there's a bitch of a stomach virus going around, and you don't want that, or some random person's cold, etc.  (Drank out of someone's water accidentally once when they had some kind of throat infection.  That is not a mistake I've made again.)

[MorningGlory]

Thanks for your reassurance and advice mollyfin! Means a lot!

Yes... You are totally right train wreck!! Speaking of going "dad" on me- I shared your comment from a previous post of mine with my Dad. He has been following and supporting me with this health anxiety period and we both commenting on how nice it was for you to take the time to tell me that. I have been feeling a lot better and I think it was mostly what you said to me that made things "click."

I am not a big drinker- I agree that alcohol is bad for you! As you know I did get carried away and reached a stage where I wasn't completely alert. You are right though, with all the funny business that goes on these days and now my resurfacing health anxiety.. LESSON LEARNED. Besides a brief period feeling short of breath, I didn't notice my symptoms! I think I found the magic medicine! (loljk.... A good approach to anxiety!)

[hypomom]

I agree.. very unlikely you'll get it. If you do? You'll be a little more tired and nap some. It'll be ok.

NOW... like others have pointed out.... being a young lady, NEVER drink a drink (alcholic or not) that you did not open or that you have lost sight of!

[trainwreck]

I am not a big drinker- I agree that alcohol is bad for you!

Very glad I could help.  Alchohol in moderation is not a bad thing.  What I will warn you of is that at your age, I was using alchohol to self-medicate.  You never want to get into that pattern.
But it wasn't the alchohol that made you forget, it was just the distraction and interaction with other people.  You have to remember to continue to do that. (And keep your grades up! LOL)