Research has shown that, depending on the method used to detect the virus, anywhere from 20%-80% of people who have had mononucleosis and have recovered will continue to secrete the EBV in their saliva for years due to periodic “reactivations” of the viral infection. Since healthy people without signs of mono also secrete the virus during reactivation episodes throughout their lifetime, isolation of people infected with EBV is not necessary.
In addition to kissing; sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, and toothbrushes, or touching anything that has been near the mouth of an infected person, may result in transmission of the disease. An enlarged liver and abnormalities in liver function tests (blood tests) may be detected.