The Transmission Of Mononucleosis - The Mono Kissing Disease

Mononucleosis is a virus that gets transmitted from person to person via saliva and mucus.

You usually get it by intimately kissing someone who's infected with mononucleosis at the time (hence its other name the mono 'kissing disease').

Mononucleosis can also be transmitted in other ways for example, by sharing food, eating utensils or cups, or via coughing or sneezing.

But although the mono kissing disease is contagious, it's not as catchy as other viruses (like the common cold for example) because it's not (usually) an air-borne virus.

The Transmission Of Mononucleosis

Now what's interesting is that the Epstein Barr Virus has been shown to be the main cause of the mono kissing disease. But what most people don't realise is that they are probably already immune to the Epstein Barr Virus. In fact, a study in the US has shown that the Epstein Barr Virus is present in over 90% of adults. [Ref 2]

Yep! Even healthy people can carry the Epstein Barr Virus.

What's more, most people become infected with the Epstein Barr Virus without becoming sick and so don't even notice when they get it. And once you've been exposed to the Epstein Barr Virus , you carry it for the rest of your life.

So what does this mean?

More About The Transmission Of Mononucleosis...

Well it means that if you have been previously exposed to the Epstein Barr Virus (which you more than likely have been), you'll be immune to getting the mono kissing disease (mononucleosis - also known as glandular fever).

But if you do get the mono kissing disease (mononucleosis) then it will take about 4 to 6 weeks for symptoms to appear. And while you are infected with the mono kissing disease (mononucleosis), you may be infectious for weeks (i.e. transmission of mononucleosis is possible for weeks) - so no kissing!

Symptoms of the mono kissing disease (mononucleosis / glandular fever) usually go away within 1 or 2 months. But as a carrier of the Epstein Barr Virus (like most of the population) you will carry the Epstein Barr Virus for the rest of your life (the Epstein Barr Virus will remain latent or dormant in your body).

Category: transmission of mononucleosis, mono kissing disease, Epstein Barr Virus

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