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When the heat comes, the boys – and girls – fall in love. They are the breeze and the sun, and all your senses are like a volcano. This is not what I say, they have been singing it every summer for more than 20 years by the Catalan duo Sonia and Selena; And science proves them right. With the arrival of spring, the hours of sunshine increase and the weather improves, social relationships increase and our body releases dopamine and cortisol into the blood. This causes our mood to improve and favors sentimental, erotic and sexual contacts ... and, as a consequence, increase the number of cases of infectious mononucleosis.

If you want to know more about this disease I invite you to continue reading, but do not stop kissing for fear of contracting it.

What is infectious mononucleosis?

It is a disease caused by a virus belonging to the herpes virus family, specifically by EBV, the Epstein-Barr virus. In some specific cases it can be caused by CMV, cytomegalovirus, or Toxoplasma Gondii, but they barely account for one in ten cases.

Why is it called 'the kissing disease'?

Because it is transmitted from one person to another by direct contact with saliva. A healthy person kisses another carrier of the virus and becomes infected due to the exchange of bodily fluids, simple as that.

Is it only spread by kissing?

No, not at all, that one of the two members of the couple is infected does not mean that he has been kissing as if he had just arrived from The Island of Temptations. It can also be spread by touching contaminated objects, such as cutlery, or by drinking from the same glass as an infected person without being aware of it. It could also be the case that the contagion had occurred through coughing or sneezing, but it is less common.

Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis

The symptoms can be confused with those of a throat infection or even with those of a flu process. Fever (which is usually high), sore and swollen throat, tiredness, malaise, muscle and headache pain, rash and swollen glands in the neck and armpits usually appear.

Is it serious?

In the vast majority of cases, no. The most disabling symptoms such as pain and fever usually disappear in about fifteen days. Only in some cases can it be complicated by anemia, clotting problems, myocarditis or liver problems.

How is it treated?

As we have said, the 'kissing disease' is caused by a virus and we do not have a specific antiviral medication for it, so the most common treatment is limited to drugs that lower fever and soothe a sore throat. In addition to this, we will maintain good hydration of the patient and recommend rest at home. Oh, and we won't kiss or share utensils with the infected person for several weeks, at least until the fever is completely gone.

Is it more common in adolescents?

Correct, although it can appear at any age it is more frequent in older children and adolescents. The fact that it is easily spread by sharing a glass or a bottle makes it spread quickly at these ages.

If the disease has been overcome, can it recur?

The usual thing is that once the kissing disease is overcome, we have developed antibodies that will protect us in case we are in contact with the virus again in the future, so it is not usually repeated. In fact, it is estimated that 90% of adults have antibodies, so this spring kiss without fear of contagion.

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