Life these days is beyond hectic, everything takes a toll on health. Maintaining good health in these times is a herculean task. So if you are healthy, congratulate yourself and cherish each moment.
There are many infections, viruses, diseases that disrupt our life by making us unwell and one such infection is mononucleosis, it goes by many other names as well, but is commonly known as “Kissing disease”. Don’t be deluded by the name, it definitely doesn’t mean that the person suffering from this infection will start giving or receiving kisses. In fact, more appropriately there won’t and shouldn’t be any kissing involved when suffering from this disease. The reason behind is simple, it spreads only through saliva. The offender, the virus that is responsible for this is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), it belongs to Herpes virus family and sadly is contagious. There are other viruses that can cause it but this is the most common reason.
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending upon age and it’s believed that usually older adults will not contract this disease, as children we get EBV and hence develop immunity against it. In the older years even if you come in contact with EBV, your immunity will beat it before it turns into infectious mononucleosis. Yet it can still occur at any age.
The symptoms take the time to show up after a person has this disease. Common symptoms are like flu, fever, fatigue, sore throat (pharyngitis), enlarged spleen liver, body pains etc. Even though it itself doesn’t do any major damage but it’s after effects can be felt for longer periods.
The major concern with this disease is it can make way for more serious issues like: Hepatitis, Jaundice, Ruptured spleen, anaemia, and meningitis. Usually, the symptoms will go away in about 4 weeks, but in some cases they can extend, to up to years. Fatigue could slowly fade and take up to 2 years to vanish.
How is it Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is mainly done through blood tests like monospot or heterophile test, as it shares the common symptoms with another disease.
What is the Treatment?
As for the treatment, there isn’t any designated specific treatment for it.
Ample rest, healthy diet and lots of fluids is all what is recommended. Drugs/medicines are prescribed for accompanying symptoms like pharyngitis and others. Mostly with rest, this disease eventually outruns its course and goes away.
As for kissing being dangerous, well it sure can be in some situations if you know what I mean! But mostly kissing is an act of love and I am not talking about just the lover’s love, but among parents and children, between friends, as a gesture it is sweet appreciation and care.
Kissing disease spreads from kissing, yes but also from sharing utensils, food items, sneezing, coughing, so it isn’t just kissing. Net net any person known to have this disease should rest and refrain from any such activities. As a warning people under this disease can remain to be contagious for close to a year as well. So unless you want to make kissing dangerous, resist the temptation and thy patience shall be rewarded with yet sweeter results.