Those hit by ‘kissing disease’ are 3 times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis | India News
New Delhi: The next time you wake up with crushing fatigue, a high fever, a raw throat and swollen glands, take note. The trigger behind this could be something as simple as a kiss.Infectious mononucleosis, or ‘kissing disease’, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – one of the most common infections in humans worldwide. It is spread through saliva, not just kissing, but daily intimate contact.A US study using records from the Mayo Clinic-led Rochester Epidemiology Project, tracking nearly 19,000 people, found that people with psychosis were three times more likely to later develop multiple sclerosis (MS). The risk remains low – 0.17% in those without mono versus 0.07% – but the disease also occurs earlier in those infected.MS is a chronic condition in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerves, disrupting signals between the brain and the body. It may start with fatigue, vision problems, numbness and loss of balance and may worsen over time.Experts say the link is strong but not causal. Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, said the apparent increase in younger MS cases likely reflects better awareness and earlier MRI-based diagnosis, not a true change in onset. Although EBV is closely associated with MS, it infects most people, where the disease remains uncommon. “EBV can act as a trigger in genetically susceptible individuals, but it’s not enough by itself to cause MS,” he said, adding that it’s still unclear whether earlier infection leads to earlier disease in practice.He cautioned against routine long-term monitoring after mono, saying the absolute risk is low and additional testing may cause unnecessary anxiety. Instead, awareness is key. Early symptoms — such as blurred or painful vision, tingling or numbness, unexplained fatigue, brief weakness, imbalance, or a shock-like sensation down the spine — are often missed as they come and go, but any neurological symptoms lasting more than 24 hours should be evaluated.Professor Manjari Tripathi, head of the department of neurology at AIIMS, Delhi, said EBV is widespread in India, especially among children and adolescents. “MS is a complex disease with multiple risk factors – genetic, environmental and immune. EBV can act as a trigger, but it is not the only cause, and most people with the infection will never develop MS,” he said.Scientists say the findings strengthen the case for preventive strategies, including a possible EBV vaccine.
