Mononucleosis |
 |
Mononucleosis,
also known as mono or glandular fever,
is a common viral disease that typically
affects adolescents and teenagers. Interestingly,
this disease is also known as “the
kissing disease” because it is
transmitted through saliva. It can spread
by sneezing or by sharing eating utensils
with the infected individual. Mononucleosis
is rarely considered to be serious,
and the virus remains in the body of
the affected individual for his or her
entire life.
Causes and Risk
Factors
Mononucleosis
is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
As mentioned earlier, this virus is
spread primarily through the exchange
of saliva. However, coughing or other
contact with infected saliva can also
transfer the virus from one person to
another.
The mono virus can remain active in
an infected person for weeks or months
after all of visible symptoms are gone,
so close contact with someone who shows
no sign of the disease can still be
risky. However, not everyone who stays
close to an individual who is infected
with mono develops the illness. Individuals
with a weak immune system are more susceptible
to contracting mono. Typically, mono
is observed in teenagers and young adults.
Children can also become infected by
the virus, but they usually exhibit
mild, flu-like symptoms and the condition
does not manifest into a serious disease.
Besides saliva, mononucleosis can be
transmitted through tears and mucus
from the nose and throat. Infected individuals
must not share their belongings such
as toothbrushes and used utensils. Even
after the symptoms are gone, mono may
not be completely gone. The virus may
become active intermittently, which
increases the chances of transmitting
it to other people. Most adults have
been exposed to this virus by the time
of which they are 35 years old and have
developed antibodies that create immunity
to this disease.
Previous |
 |
1 |
|
2 |
 |
|
|
