What Is the 'Kissing Disease'?... "My Tonsils After Meeting My Girlfriend" [Health Talk]

[Financial News] After kissing his girlfriend, a man developed symptoms similar to the common cold and was diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis (IM), commonly known as the 'kissing disease.' This illness, which is transmitted through saliva, can easily be mistaken for acute tonsillitis due to similar symptoms. Inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions may lead to complications, making accurate diagnosis essential.
According to physicians at Brown University, a 36-year-old man visited the hospital with flu-like symptoms.
The man reported a dry cough, sore throat, and fever that had persisted for ten days. He also mentioned that his girlfriend had experienced similar symptoms two days earlier. Examination revealed his tonsils were red, swollen, and covered with white pus. Both tonsils were enlarged to the point of touching each other, a condition referred to as 'kissing tonsils.'
The medical team diagnosed him with infectious mononucleosis (IM). Also known as the 'kissing disease,' this condition is caused by the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), which infects lymphocytes. IM is transmitted through oral secretions such as saliva, so kissing or sharing utensils with an infected person can result in transmission.
Although the exact route of infection was not identified, given the disease's transmission via saliva, it is presumed that the man contracted it from his girlfriend through close contact or sharing food.
The patient was treated with Dexamethasone, a steroid medication, for five days before being discharged. Eight weeks later, his symptoms had completely resolved.
When young adults contract IM, they may experience fatigue, malaise, and muscle aches for one to two weeks. As the illness progresses, symptoms can worsen to include fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. More than half of those infected show no noticeable symptoms and may not realize they have the disease, sometimes mistaking it for a simple cold.
Although IM is not classified as a serious illness, improper medication can cause complications, so caution is required. Because its symptoms closely resemble those of acute tonsillitis, which is caused by bacterial infection and requires antibiotics, it is important to note that antibiotics are ineffective against IM, which is caused by EBV.
In particular, taking antibiotics containing Ampicillin can lead to complications such as skin rashes. Therefore, if you develop related symptoms after contact with a partner, it is important to visit a hospital for an accurate diagnosis.
This case was published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine.
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter