Doctors Warn ‘Kissing Disease’ Can Spread Through Dishes and Saliva

Mononucleosis, often referred to as the "kissing disease,” can spread through saliva and shared household items such as dishes and toothbrushes, Olga Zykova, associate professor at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at Pirogov University, said. Doctors Explain How Mononucleosis Spreads Speaking to RIA Novosti, Zykova said most cases of infectious mononucleosis occur after direct contact with the saliva of an infected person or virus carrier. She warned that people can also contract the infection through shared glasses, cups, eating utensils, toothbrushes, and even lipstick.