Mononucleosis also called kissing disease is infectious and tends to negatively impact a person’s health. In many cases this condition tends to affect adolescents as well young adults. In fact almost every individual is affected by the Epstein Barr virus which is responsible for causing this illness. However in many people the antibodies fight off the virus. In many cases this condition is rather dormant and does not cause much harm but in some cases chronic mononucleosis may be experienced.

Mononucleosis causes certain symptoms that include loss of appetite along with fever. Chronic mononucleosis is a more serious condition and it is also called recurrent mononucleosis. In chronic condition a person experiences severe illness for more than six months following the time the infectious mononucleosis is initially diagnosed.

Chronic mononucleosis is marked by certain symptoms like exhaustion, lingering sore throat, swelling in the lymph nodes and fever. This infection is also called chronic EBV infection and in this recurrent mononucleosis is quite rare. In as many as 95% of the cases the condition is in dormant or latent form and in rare cases infectious mononucleosis develops into a chronic condition.

Chronic mononucleosis can be diagnosed through a tissue biopsy test or a blood test. These tests are used to identify active EBV infection and this is done by determining if high levels of the virus are present. The treatment for mononucleosis largely involves medicines to provide relief from the symptoms. This is because this condition like most viral infections tends to resolve on its own. Anti viral medication does not prove to be effective in dealing with this condition.

Chronic mononucleosis also needs a great deal of rest along with high intake of fluids. Where other bacterial infections are diagnosed along with mononucleosis these can be treated with antibiotics. Where the swelling in the throat is particularly severe corticosteroid medicines like prednisone may be taken. Certain complications that may occur in mononucleosis include hepatitis, jaundice and spleen inflammation. Inflammation of heart and anemia may also be experienced in some cases.