LOVE AND ROMANCE

Here is a real joy killer...sexually transmitted disease! This is not a happy topic but one that needs to be addressed nevertheless. Of course the biggies come to mind. We have heard a lot of information about them. Yes?

What about the kissing disease? Joke or no joke?

Here is what one expert says:

Mono, or mononucleosis, also called "the kissing disease" due to its transmission via infected saliva, isn't as funny as the name implies. The virus that causes it (Epstein-Barr, or EBV) can be transmitted by less exciting routes, such as sneezing and coughing, and the consequences can be really unfun. Besides the standard swollen glands and sore throat (which can be really severe), the long-lasting weakness and fatigue that follow can be a trying experience.

What's even neater is that we're told "there's no cure" by the hallowed halls of modern medicine. Go home, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids. It is no joking matter. Consult your physician!

Definition of Kissing disease

Kissing disease: A name for infectious mononucleosis ("mono"), a very common illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). By the time most people reach adulthood, an antibody against EBV can be detected in their blood meaning they have been infected with EBV. The illness is less severe in young children. The infection can be spread by saliva. The incubation period for "mono" is 4 to 8 weeks. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. "Mono" can cause liver inflammation (hepatitis) and spleen enlargement. Vigorous contact sports should be avoided to prevent spleen rupture.