EBV (infectious mononucleosis), commonly referred to as "Kissing Disease" among the public, is a condition caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. EBV is transmitted from person to person through body fluids, with the most common mode of transmission being through saliva.
How Does Kissing Disease Spread?
EBV, which is part of the herpes virus family that includes the herpes simplex virus, can easily be transmitted through sharing dishes, kissing, or talking at close quarters, and it can affect individuals of all age groups. However, its prevalence is particularly higher in children between the ages of 0-5 compared to other age groups. Parents should be cautious of adults who may carry the virus without showing symptoms and easily transmit it to children through close contact such as gestures of affection, and especially protect their children from close contact with others as much as possible. Additionally, parents should avoid kissing their children on the lips and refrain from using the same fork, spoon, or plate as their children, as these measures can help protect children from the disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Kissing Disease?
Commonly observed symptoms of kissing disease include:
- Tonsillitis
- Fatigue
- High fever
- Joint pain
- Sore throat
- Headache
This symptomatology, which might be mistaken for an ordinary upper respiratory tract illness, could be indicative of kissing disease. In the presence of one or more of these symptoms, it is essential to seek support from a specialist physician to evaluate this possibility. Furthermore, kissing disease can also cause symptoms like liver enlargement and spleen enlargement in children.
Why Is Kissing Disease Dangerous?
Kissing disease is a condition that carries symptoms likely to be mistaken for a common upper respiratory tract illness, and if there is a delay in consulting a doctor, it can lead to severe conditions especially in children, including meningitis. The disease can be diagnosed through examination and tests by a specialist physician. As it is a communicable disease, a child diagnosed with it and attending school should be kept away from school for the duration recommended by the doctor. EBV has the potential to cause complications that may affect the liver, central nervous system, and heart.
How Is Kissing Disease Treated?
In the treatment of kissing disease, medications aimed at alleviating symptoms like high fever and sore throat, bed rest, and consuming plenty of water are recommended. Furthermore, all recommendations from the diagnosing specialist physician should be carefully listened to and followed.
In rare cases, spleen enlargement caused by the disease can lead to spleen rupture in advanced scenarios. Therefore, rest is marked as one of the most critical measures to be implemented post-diagnosis. As a viral disease, kissing disease should particularly be considered within the realm of possibility in cases where antibiotics are ineffective, especially in children, to prevent severe outcomes, and necessary examination and tests should be conducted.
Who Is More Likely to Contract Kissing Disease?
Although kissing disease can manifest in individuals of any age, it is more commonly observed in children, teenagers, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The risk of transmission increases in collective living environments such as nurseries and schools, while the course of the infection can be more severe in immunocompromised individuals. While symptoms in infants generally proceed mildly, it can be difficult to diagnose, so parents must be vigilant.
Other Diseases That Can Be Confused with Kissing Disease
Due to its symptoms, kissing disease can be confused with illnesses like flu, tonsillitis, and upper respiratory infections. Therefore, a thorough examination and blood tests are important before diagnosis. Antibody tests specific to EBV play a pivotal role in the diagnosis. Ensuring the correct diagnosis specifically for treating kissing disease also prevents unnecessary antibiotic use.
Management of Kissing Disease Treatment and Process
The treatment of kissing disease is conducted through supportive approaches aimed at alleviating symptoms. Being a viral infection, antibiotics are usually ineffective. Hence, antipyretics, analgesics, and abundant fluid intake become priorities in the treatment. The course of the disease typically lasts several weeks; however, complaints such as fatigue and tiredness may persist for months in some cases.
During this process, particularly children should rest, avoid physical activities, and be protected from trauma if there is a risk of spleen enlargement. To prevent the infection from spreading to others, personal hygiene rules should be meticulously followed, and contact via saliva should be minimized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does kissing disease spread?
Kissing disease, medically known as "infectious mononucleosis," is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This virus is transmitted primarily through body fluids, especially saliva. The most common transmission methods include kissing, using the same fork, spoon, or glass, sharing dishes, or exposure to saliva droplets while speaking at close range. The virus can spread more easily in individuals with weakened immunity.
Some individuals may carry the virus without showing any symptoms, resulting in unnoticed disease transmission. Therefore, it is crucial that adults in contact with small children pay careful attention to hygiene rules.
What are the symptoms of kissing disease in infants?
While the symptoms of kissing disease in infants generally proceed mildly, without careful attention they can lead to serious complications. Frequently observed symptoms include mild fever, irritability, loss of appetite, excessive sleepiness, and occasionally redness or inflammation of the tonsils.
These symptoms are often mistaken for other infections. Serious conditions that the virus can cause, such as liver or spleen enlargement, especially necessitate medical supervision. Since infants' immune systems are not fully developed yet, there is a high risk of parents or caregivers transmitting the disease unknowingly. Taking preventive measures against kissing disease is crucial, particularly for children in the first 5-year age group.
What is kissing disease?
Kissing disease is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It is known in medical literature as "infectious mononucleosis." It is particularly prevalent among adolescents and young adults.
The disease affects the immune system and presents with symptoms such as fatigue, high fever, sore throat, headache, tonsillitis, and swelling of the lymph nodes. Sometimes, enlargement of the spleen and liver can be observed. While it is commonly a self-limiting illness, it is advisable to consult a specialist if symptoms persist for a long time or if the disease progresses severely.
Especially for school-aged children, when diagnosed, it is recommended for them to rest and stay away from social settings for a period to prevent the spread of the disease.
Is kissing disease dangerous?
While kissing disease generally manifests as a mild infection, it can lead to severe health issues in certain cases. Especially in individuals with a weakened immune system, small children, or those with underlying chronic conditions, the course of infection can be more severe. Complications such as liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and spleen enlargement (splenomegaly) can develop, and these conditions can rarely pose life-threatening risks like organ rupture.
Occasionally, the disease can also affect the nervous system, leading to severe neurological complications such as meningitis. Therefore, following diagnosis, regular medical supervision should not be neglected, and precautions like ample fluid intake, bed rest, and avoiding physical activities should be meticulously implemented.