Within the health field, mononucleosis is a pathology that is caused by a virus that belongs to the herpes family. Within the popular slang this disease is also known as the kissing disease, among the common symptoms that it presents, include fever, pain in the throat area and swelling of the lymph nodes, it is usually reflected in the area of the neck. This disease is related to the Epstein-Barr virusand in some cases it can be caused by cytomegalovirus. It should be noted that this infection is very common in adolescents and young adults around the world, but especially in developed countries, with the majority of adult patients being seropositive for the Epstein-Barr virus.
The EBV Epstein-Barr virus is usually transmitted through the mouth, that is, by coming into contact with the saliva of the infected person. For that reason it is known as kissing disease. Mononucleosis is distinguished from other similar pathologies, by the fact that the virus remains in the saliva of the infected individual during the acute phase of the disease and the months following it. During this period, the danger of contagion is latent for those who are not immune to the EBV virus and come into direct contact with the saliva of the affected person.
This infection mainly affects children and young adults. There are experts who affirm that among the adult population it could be assured that the majority have at some point in their lives suffered from an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). After suffering from this disease, it is normal for the person to become immune to it, so there is no risk of developing mononucleosis again. The infection has an incubation period that ranges from 10 to 15 days, during which there are no symptoms. But when the disease begins to manifest itself, the discomfort lasts between 7 to 14 days, generating headache, asthenia, myalgia or abdominal pain.
The general symptoms are fever that is usually high, muscle weakness, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, swollen tonsils and pharynx. Among others.
