Infectious mononucleosis, or “kissing disease,” is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is often transmitted through saliva or close personal contact. It is most common in young adults and can cause fatigue, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. While most cases clear up on their own, those with compromised immune systems may require more aggressive medical care. Vaccinations are recommended for college students to prevent the spread of the virus.
Kissing disease, otherwise known as infectious mononucleosis or simply “mono,” is an infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The slang term “kissing disease” is a reference to the fact that the disease is often transmitted through saliva, although it is a bit of a misnomer, because any type of close personal contact such as sharing a drink can cause transmission. of the virus. Activities such as touching a doorknob handled by an infected person with poor personal hygiene can also cause virus infection.
This disease is most common in young adults, being particularly contagious to people between the ages of 10 and 30. 15-17 year olds are particularly at risk, and kissing disease is a scourge of high school and college campuses. Many college students contract mono and other infectious diseases when they arrive on campus because they have not been exposed before and crowded conditions make it difficult to avoid infection. This is one reason why vaccinations are recommended for college students, to prevent as many diseases as possible.
The incubation period for mono can be long. Patients usually feel some tiredness and weakness when the virus starts attacking their B lymphocytes. They may also notice that the spleen and lymph nodes in the neck are swollen. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, night sweats and rashes, and the fatigue can persist for months. Symptoms may be so low that the patient simply attributes them to school or work fatigue.
Fortunately, most cases of kissing sickness clear up on their own, and in some cases, people have infectious mononucleosis and don’t even realize it. In cases where people seek medical help, the doctor can do diagnostic tests to confirm that the Epstein-Barr virus is responsible, and the doctor can make recommendations for supportive care, such as taking aspirin for headaches and drinking many liquids.
While people with kissing sickness usually recover, people with compromised immune systems should be aware that mononucleosis can become dangerous for them. This includes people taking medicines to prevent transplant rejection, AIDS patients, and cancer patients undergoing treatment. In these cases, more aggressive medical care may be advisable to help the patient beat the virus before it can get out of control. These individuals should also be careful of college students, who can carry the disease without being aware of it.
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