Mononucleosis is infectious i.e. it can spread in people. It is nick named “mono” and is also called the ‘kissing disease’. It is an infection primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).
The EBV virus is quite common and most people are exposed to, if not infected by it, in childhood itself. The tricky part, as it seems is that not everyone containing or infected by the virus seems to be diseased by it. Many of such people never show any symptoms of being infected throughout their lives. People once infected, shall become carriers of the virus for the rest of their lives. They may not even get sick again because of it. There are other viruses too which can cause similar illness besides EBV. Cytomegalovirus is another which causes similar illness. It stays in the body of the patients for the rest of his life. Although people often joke about the kissing disease, it’s quite an adversary. It can keep you in bed for weeks at a stretch.
Mononucleosis can be passed on by kissing an infected person. That is where it got its nickname as the kissing disease. If you are safe from the EBV, then you are at a risk if you kiss someone. There are other ways too, when it comes to being contagious. The carrier of this disease is the saliva from the mouth. Anything with infected saliva on it is a carrier to the disease such as toothbrush, toothpaste and utensils. Even sharing a drink with your pals can be dangerous.
People who have the virus in their body and have never fallen sick are still a threat because they can pass it on to others. EBV can be actively spread by people who have become its carriers within a few months.
Symptoms of being attacked by mononucleosis start acting from four to seven weeks after the actual infection. The common symptoms of the disease are:
• High fever.
• Fatigue
• Throat problems
• Bad appetite
• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Headaches
• sore muscles
• weakness
• larger-than-normal liver or spleen
• skin rash
• abdominal pain
Patients suffering from mononucleosis have varying combinations of these symptoms to a certain degree with any range of intensity. In some, the symptoms are so mild that they are hardly noticeable. While few have no symptoms to being with.
Even when you seem to be sure you are suffering, please don’t try and be the doctor. Go to a qualified practitioner and ask for help. Today, the kissing disease has spread all over the world and is worsening due to being undiagnosed wrong. It would be ridiculous to ask people not to kiss but if ever facing such symptoms please be sure to ask the doctor to check for mononucleosis, He may want to do some blood tests to make sure. Don’t fret and go on. It may save you weeks of suffering.
