Kissing Disease
Kissing Disease Causes
The cause of mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus, though similar signs and symptoms are sometimes caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Kissing Disease Definition
Infectious mononucleosis (mono), or glandular fever, is usually called the kissing disease.
Kissing Disease Diagnosis
The doctor may use other blood tests to look for an elevated number of white blood cells (lymphocytes) or abnormal-looking lymphocytes. These blood tests will not confirm mononucleosis, but they may suggest it as a possibility.
Kissing Disease Symptoms and Signs
Some symptoms of kissing disease are: fatigue; weakness; sore throat; fever; swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits; swollen tonsils; headache; skin rash; loss of appetite; soft, swollen spleen; and night sweats.
Kissing Disease Treatment
There's no particular therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mostly involves bed rest and adequate fluid intake. Sometimes, a streptococcal (strep) infection accompanies the sore throat of mononucleosis. A sinus infection may also develop or an infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis). If so, the patient may need treatment with antibiotics for these accompanying bacterial infections.