Infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as Mono or, in younger circles, the "Kissing disease" is an infections, widespread viral infection with many symptoms similar to influenza. It is more common among children due to their underdeveloped immune system. The disease is often characterized by fever, fatigue, and a sore throat. Infectious mononucleosis has several other debilitating symptoms, but these three are the most common to all cases. Infectious mononucleosis usually passes within several weeks and can be misconstrued as a heavy cold. Though it is not lethal and passes with little to no permanent damage.
Infectious mononucleosis is a contagious disease that must be passed from person to person, though, short-term incubation of the virus is possible outside of organic tissue and this is often utilized for research.
The most popular spread of Infectious mononucleosis is mouth to mouth contact from an infected individual to a non infected individual. The disease is often passed when adolescents "kiss" or come in contact with each other orally. Mono is often overlooked because of its common symptoms and easy treatment, thus this kissing takes place without the infected party knowing he or she is infected the non infected party.
Because the virus that causes Infectious mononucleosis is found in many places world-wide and comes in contact in non-infectious doses throughout an individual's life, the Infectious mononucleosis antibody is often fully developed and functioning by adulthood making the infection of an adult extremely rare. If an individual is infected with Infectious mononucleosis during childhood, it is nearly impossible for the individual to contract it again because traces of the Infectious mononucleosis is left in their system and aids in the formation of the antibodies. Basically, this disease is present only in children under the age of 20 in 98% of cases.