Mononucleosis, also known as "kissing disease", occurs frequently in adolescents and young adults, although it can also be contracted during early childhood, as it is spread through saliva.
It is a viral disease whose initial symptoms resemble those of tonsillitis, hence the diagnosis can sometimes be confused. We explain what is infectious mononucleosis, what symptoms it presents and how it should be treated.
Why do they call it the "kissing disease"?
Mononucleosis is a infection caused by a virus that is transmitted through saliva, hence it is known as "kissing disease". Due to its form of contagion, the disease occurs more frequently among adolescents, but it is also a virus very typical of nurseries, where children suck and share everything.
In Babies and more Children who go to daycare have a higher risk of infectious diseasesInfection sometimes occurs from healthy carriers., who have the active virus inside their body but have no symptoms. Also infected people can spread the disease even several months after contracting it.
According to data from the Spanish Society of Outpatient Pediatrics and Primary Care (SEPEAP), This virus is widely spread worldwide, and it is estimated that more than 95 percent of the population has been infected at some point in their lives.
The symptoms of mononucleosis
In infants and very young children, the disease is usually asymptomatic or present nonspecific symptoms like those of any other virus, hence its initial diagnosis is not clear on many occasions.
In older children, adolescents and adults, the first symptoms usually include malaise, muscle pain, fatigue, decay, headaches, lack of appetite and abdominal pain. This first phase can last between one and two weeks, and then the most typical symptoms of the disease begin and are:
Fever too high and intermittent, with a duration that can last up to two weeks.
Pharyngotonsillitis with extensive exudate plates in the tonsils, whitish or grayish. Sore throat is very intense and gradually increases with fever.
Enlarged lymph nodes, especially of the neck.
Enlargement of the spleen and sometimes also of the liver, which is usually associated with abdominal pain.
Less frequently, a acne, especially if the patient is being treated with antibiotics.
The complications of the disease are very exceptional, and usually, the diagnosis of mononucleosis is reached through a blood test.
Disease treatment
Being a virus, mononucleosis is not cured with antibiotics. The problem is that this disease resembles other throat infections that are susceptible to antibiotic treatment, hence this type of medication is sometimes prescribed without the patient improving after a few days.
The only thing that can be done is to alleviate the symptoms of the disease with analgesic medications recommended by the pediatrician, drink plenty of fluids and rest a lot.The general symptoms of the disease improve between two and four weeks after its onset, and during this time it is convenient for the child to remain at home and at rest, especially if you have a fever.
When the fever has completely subsided, the infection is considered to have passed, although on many occasions tiredness lasts several more weeks, so it may be advisable for the child to continue resting before returning to his normal life.
Can it be prevented?
There is no vaccine against this disease and neither can we apply effective preventive measures Well, as we have seen, sometimes contagion occurs by carriers who do not have any symptoms of disease.
The only thing we can do (both to try to prevent this disease, as many others) is to teach our children not to share glasses, bottles, cutlery ... as well as frequently disinfect toys that they use and share with other children, if they are susceptible to Take them to your mouth.
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