Читать книгу Principles of Virology, Volume 2 - Jane Flint, S. Jane Flint - Страница 96

Some viruses that reproduce in the lungs, nasal mucosa, or salivary glands are shed into the oral cavity. Transmission may occur through aerosols, as discussed above, via contaminated fingers, or by kissing or spitting. Animals that lick, nibble, and groom may also transmit infections in saliva. Perhaps the best-known human virus that is transmitted in this way is Epstein-Barr virus, which results in mononucleosis, often called “kissing disease.” Remarkably, the incubation time for this virus (that is, the time between infection and disease) is 4 to 7 weeks. Consequently, an Epstein-Barr virus-infected Lothario has lots of time to transmit far more than a radiant smile and magnetic personality before being “found out.” Human cytomegalovirus, mumps virus, and some retroviruses can also be transmitted by means of saliva exchange.