A 22-year-old woman named Neve McRavey got seriously ill after kissing a man during her graduation party. What started as a fun night out turned into a medical emergency when she contracted glandular fever, also known as the "kissing disease."
After the kiss, Neve developed a severe sore throat and started gagging on her saliva. She was hospitalized and put on an IV drip.
Recently Dr. Mitali Rathod shared her opinion about kissing disease on Instagram, which raised curiosity among viewers, speaking about this disease she added:
This condition is called as kissing disease or glandular fever, caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Though it happens with saliva but with cigarette smoking and glass sharing it can also happen. While after fever and rash by symptomatic treatment it gets cures. But if you have a bad luck the liver can also get failed, and it can be fatal.Dr. Mitali Rathod, MBBS, MS
The "kissing disease" is actually glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis or mono. It's caused by a virus known as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). This virus belongs to the herpes family and is incredibly common worldwide. The disease is named "kissing disease" because it predominantly spreads through saliva exchange during kissing, making intimate mouth-to-mouth contact the primary transmission route for the Epstein-Barr virus. [1]
Although this primarily spreads through the exchange of saliva during kissing or sharing utensils, it can also spread through sharing contaminated products such as lipsticks, blood contact or sexual contact. It can be transmitted through coughing or sneezing on very rare occasions.
The virus can remain dormant in a person's body for life, potentially reactivating and becoming contagious again without causing symptoms.
Dr. Munish Kumar Raizada, (MD, FAAP), President, Bharatiya Liberal Party, took to Twitter to quote,
"Infectious mononucleosis (Kissing Disease) is caused by EBV. Two interesting phenomena that you might like to remember:
1. Splenomegaly is common. However, the spleen is so fragile that it can even rupture (risk is small though).
2. Amoxycillin -induced rash: Typcally generalized maculo-papular."
The symptoms usually show up 4 to 6 weeks after infection. The main signs are feeling very tired, having a sore throat, fever, and swollen glands in the neck. People might also get a headache, a skin rash, and an enlarged spleen. These symptoms typically last for 1 to 2 months, but feeling tired can sometimes continue for longer.
In some cases, EBV can affect the liver. Most people with EBV infection have mild liver inflammation, which usually goes unnoticed. However, in rare instances, the virus can cause more serious liver problems. These can range from noticeable liver inflammation with jaundice to, in extremely rare cases, acute liver failure. [2] This severe complication can be life-threatening and might require urgent medical attention or even a liver transplant.
To prevent mononucleosis, or "kissing disease," avoid sharing saliva with others. Don't kiss someone who might be infected. Also, don't share drinks, food, or personal items like toothbrushes with others.
If someone you know has mono, try to avoid close contact with them until they feel better. If you have mono, wait a few days after your fever goes away before getting close to others.
Remember, prevention is key since there's no vaccine[3] for this "kissing disease."
Treatment involves rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Doctors recommend avoiding strenuous activities, eating healthily, and letting the body heal naturally. No specific cure exists, so managing symptoms and supporting the immune system is key to recovery.
Note: This content is purely informational and isn’t medical guidance. It shouldn’t replace professional medical counsel. Always consult your physician regarding treatment risks and benefits.
References:
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Mononucleosis: Symptoms & Causes." Mayo Clinic. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mononucleosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350328.
Dunmire, Samantha K., Crystal L. Hogquist, and Henry H. Balfour Jr. 2015. "Infectious Mononucleosis." Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology 390: 211–240. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4250929/.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Epstein-Barr and Mononucleosis." CDC. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about/mononucleosis.html.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Iqra Momin/SSK)