Caution, this Virus Spreads Through Kissing

Kissing is one of the 'ritual' are often lovers. This fun activity is not completely free of the disease, especially involving the exchange of saliva. There is a very fragile disease transmitted by kissing.

The disease is an illness caused by infectious mononucleosis Mono or Epstein Barr virus. The virus can be transmitted through contact with the saliva of an infected person. One study found that kissing can increase the risk of mono.

In addition to passing a kiss, Epstein Barr virus can be spread through coughing,
sneezing or sharing food. Fortunately the virus is not transmitted like flu viruses. As quoted from MyhealthNewsDaily.com, Wednesday (01/02/2013), most people infected with the virus before adulthood will develop immunity to the virus.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis monitor 546 students. Before the study began, the researchers tested the presence of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in the blood of participants. Approximately 63 percent positive for antibodies, meaning that they had suffered from mono before.

During the study, doctors diagnosed 66 students who have mono. Of these, as many as 59 people show symptoms of illness mono. Unfortunately, researchers have not been able to find out how often the participants showed symptoms.

Students who have fallen ill mono for an average of 17 days, but can still pass the virus for a period of approximately 5 months. Higher levels of viral infections during the first year in college, which is 26 cases per 100 people. On students who have three years of college, the infection rate of 10 cases per 100 people per year.

The report, published the Journal of Infectious Diseases confirmed that people are more likely to develop mono kissing than not kissing or even sex. Other factors that may increase the risk of mono is suspected such as diet, exercise habits and stress was not shown to affect.

The good news, the disease is not too dangerous. The symptoms that arise from this disease are sore throat, fatigue, headache, fever, decreased appetite and swollen tonsils. But there are also some people who have mono without showing symptoms.