What Is Kissing Disease?
3. Transmission
EBV is transmitted through bodily fluids, as are the other viruses that can cause the disease. Saliva is the most frequent mode of transmission, but the pathogens can also spread via the blood and semen. When the virus is present in the saliva, it can be spread through deep kissing, drinking and eating from shared glasses and utensils, or sharing a toothbrush.
Mono is transmitted through the semen during sexual intercourse. Blood transmission occurs less frequently, though it can happen during a blood transfusion or organ transplant. After the disease passes, the virus remains in the system, but inactive. It may reactivate in the future, making people contagious again even though they are unlikely to have symptoms.
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