What is Epstein-Barr virus, can Mark Cavendish’s condition be treated and what are the symptoms of the kissing disease?

THE Epstein-Barr virus, also known as "mono" or the "kissing disease", has affected many sports stars, including cyclist Mark Cavendish.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition and can it be treated? Here's the lowdown...

What is Epstein-Barr virus?

The disease, nicknamed "mono", is one of the most common human viruses.

Plenty of people get the disease without getting sick.

Epstein-Barr virus is also known as the "kissing disease".

What are the symptoms?

• Fatigue
• Weakness and sore muscles
• Fever
• Inflamed throat
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Enlarged spleen
• Swollen liver
• Rash

How does it spread?

The virus is found in saliva and spreads mostly through bodily fluids.

Meaning it can be spread by kissing someone or also using an infected person's toothbrush or drinking from the same glass or bottle as them.

It can also be transmitted through blood and semen - meaning it can be passed on during sex, a blood transfusion and an organ transplant.

How are you diagnosed?

As mentioned earlier, plenty of people get the virus and are not aware of it, meaning it can be difficult to diagnose.

It is because a lot of the signs, such as flu, a sore throat and fever are thought to be symptoms from other illnesses.

It's been reported that nine out of ten of adults have antibodies that show that they have a current or past Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Which athletes have suffered from the virus?

Cyclist Mark Cavendish has been forced to take an indefinite break from sport following his diagnosis.

The 33-year-old released a joint-statement released with Team Dimension Data, which said: “This season I’ve not felt physically myself and despite showing good numbers on the bike I have felt that there’s been something not right.

“Given this and on the back of these medical results, I’m glad to now finally have some clarity as to why I haven’t been able to perform at my optimum level during this time.

“Having received expert medical advice as a result of the findings I’ve been advised to take a period of total rest in order to fully recover.

“I’m now looking forward to taking the time necessary in order to get back to 100 per cent fitness before then returning to racing again at peak physical condition.”

Cyclist Ben Henderson also suffered from the disease and picked up the virus after he was bitten more than 50 times by mosquitoes whilst racing on Malaysian island Langkawi in 2011.

Whilst tennis stars Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Robin Soderling, Mario Ancic and John Isner have also suffered from mono.