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* Drinking alcohol comes with plenty of health risks as it is. But it's especially important for anyone who has mono — or thinks they might — not to drink. That's because mono and alcohol each affect the liver. A person who has mono and drinks could end up with liver damage. Because you're having symptoms, see a doctor or visit student health right away. And skip the alcohol until you do. If you do have mono, you'll need to avoid alcohol for a few months, even after you start feeling better. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles Mononucleosis (Mono) It's sometimes called "the kissing disease," but kissing is just one of the ways that someone can catch mono. Read More How Long Is Mono Contagious? If someone gets mono, the virus stays in that person's body for life. The virus may surface from time to time and possibly infect someone else. Here are the facts on how mono works. Read More Can a Person Get Mono More Than Once? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Alcohol Deciding whether to drink is a personal decision that we each eventually have to make. Get the facts about alcohol. Read More How Is Mono Spread? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Binge Drinking The definition of binge drinking in the United States is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row by men – or four or more drinks in a row by women – at least once in the previous two weeks. Surprised? Find out more. Read More Can You Get Mono From Just a Quick Kiss? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.