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Piven Went Mono Before Going to Mercury

Posted Dec 19th 2008 5:00AM by TMZ Staff

Before Jeremy Piven ditched his Broadway show due to sushi-related mercury poisoning, producers say the actor was worried he was suffering from mononucleosis -- the dreaded kissing disease.

The show's producer tells TMZ Piven had complained of illnesses from the beginning of the show's run in October. First, says the producer, Piven reported "low-level mono." After that, Piven told producers he was worried he might have Epstein-Barr virus. The final diagnosis, as his doctor stated publicly, was mercury poisoning from a two-a-day raw fish habit.

We contacted Jeremy's people for comment; haven't heard back yet.

UPDATE: We spoke to Piv's doctor Carlon Colker, and he says he's not aware of any mono issue, but did confirm Piven was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr.

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16. as said before, mono is caused by EB virus. great journalism and brilliant doctor!!

Posted at 11:24AM on Dec 19th 2008 by jason paris

17. OK, ummmmm who eats sushi every day? That's just weird!!! I always knew that dude was a moron!!!

Posted at 11:51AM on Dec 19th 2008 by kristin wagner

18. Epstein-Barr can CAUSE mononucleosis. Because someone has EBV it does NOT mean they necessarily have mononucleosis.

Posted at 11:53AM on Dec 19th 2008 by Don'tKnowWhyIReadThisStuff

19. Dude thats a HIPAA violation this doc could be sued for a bizillion dollars for that comment.

Posted at 11:58AM on Dec 19th 2008 by StupidIs

20. Fish isn't that safe anymore, and it is not health food. Wake up people.

Posted at 12:04PM on Dec 19th 2008 by HappyinFl

21. to:Don'tKnowWhyIReadThisStuff: are you saying he had asymptomatic EBV infection yet was sick and diagnosed with EBV?? Better get back to studying your Harrison's text. its what i call a distinction without a difference, or you, trying to be intellectual. Either way, you are an idiot.

Posted at 1:37PM on Dec 19th 2008 by jason paris

22. Any intelligent life out there?! These doctors are idiots!

EBV is a NON sexually communicated herpes virus that attacks the immune system. It can lay low for many years and lay dormant. An active infection (say a parasite from SUSHI) can set it off. I got Lyme disease and my low level EBV woke up. You can get it any way you can get mono -kissing, dragging of a cigarette, etc.

EBV like mono affects the liver, so if he is adding alcohol, he can get REALLY sick.

And, most intelligent people know no one with any sense eats sushi 2x a day for the microbes, parasites, high levels of mercury and bacteria alone. Stick to COOKED FISH. I cannot believe his MD didn't tell him to lay off for a year.

Posted at 1:47PM on Dec 19th 2008 by knowitall

23. someone find out the name of this doctor and then call the AMA. whatever happened to doctor-patient confidentiality? doctors are NOT suppose to just BLAB to other people what their patients have! i, for one, could care less why a cute, but face it, mediocre actor has. if it's just mono, so what! why is this doctor telling people about it in the first place is what gets me!

Posted at 11:13PM on Dec 19th 2008 by me

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