Kissing disease or mononucleosis, as it is clinically called, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is usually transmitted through saliva and causes symptoms such as malaise, high fever and severe sore throat, which can affect children, adolescents and adults.
This disease is curable when the treatment is done correctly and includes the use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, rest and gargling with salt water.
How to get kiss disease
The kiss disease virus passes from one person to another mainly through contact with saliva and, therefore, is known as kiss disease.
In addition, it can also be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, when sharing glasses or cutlery, through intimate contact or blood transfusion, however it is more rare.
Treatment for kiss disease
To treat mononucleosis, analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, for example, must be used, in addition to the need for rest, fluid intake throughout the day and gargling with salt water to reduce sore throat. Read more at: Treatment for mononucleosis.
The treatment of the disease is done to decrease the symptoms and decrease the individual's discomfort and, in some cases, hospitalization may be necessary to control the disease and take medicine through the vein.
Symptoms of kiss disease
Kissing disease causes symptoms such as:
- High fever, above 38ºC; General malaise and tiredness; Head and throat pain; Neck swelling; Swollen eyelid; Whitish plaques in the mouth and throat; Abdominal pain due to liver and spleen involvement.
The adult may be infected and the symptoms appear only 4 to 6 weeks later, but in the child it is common for it to manifest earlier. Learn more at: Mononucleosis symptoms.
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