Home > Infectious mononucleosis

The virus infects B cells (B-lymphocytes), producing a reactive lymphocytosis and the atypical T cells (T-lymphocytes) which give the disease its name. Symptoms similar to those of mononucleosis can be caused by adenovirus and the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii.

1 Symptoms and physical signs

Typical symptoms and signs of mononucleosis are:

• fever - this varies from mild to severe, but is seen in nearly all cases.
• enlarged lymph nodes - particularly the posterior cervical lymph nodes, on both sides of the neck.
• sore throat - nearly all patients with EBV-mononucleosis have tonsillitis, usually accompanied by thick exudate
• fatigue

Other possible physical signs and symptoms include:

• enlarged spleen or liverThe liver is an organ in vertebrates including humans. It plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body including detoxification, glycogen storage and plasma protein synthesis. It also produces bile which is important for dige
• aching muscles
• headache
• loss of appetite
• jaundiceJaundice technically known as icterus is yellowing of the skin, sclera (eyes) and mucous membranes caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the system. Usually the concentration of bilirubin in the blood must exceed 2-3mg/dL for the coloration to be eas

The symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually last 1-2 months, but the virus can remain dormant in the B cells indefinitely after symptoms have disappeared. Many people exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus do not show symptoms of the disease, but carry the virus and can transmit it to others. This is especially true in children, in whom infection seldom causes more than a very mild illness which often goes undiagnosed. This feature, along with mono's long incubation periodIncubation period is the time elapsed between exposure to a pathogenic organism and when symptoms and signs are first apparent. The period may be as short as minutes, to as long as thirty years in the case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A person ma, makes epidemiologicalEpidemiology is the study of the demographics of disease processes, including the study of epidemics and other diseases that are common enough to allow statistical tools to be applied. So, besides contagious diseases, it also focuses on diabetes, coronary control of the disease impractical. About 6% of people who have had mono will relapse.

Since mononucleosis can cause the spleen to swell, it may in rare cases lead to a ruptured spleen. Rupture may occur without trauma, but impact to the spleen is usually a factor.

Mononucleosis is rarely fatal. Death is usually from severe hepatitisIn medicine ( gastroenterology), hepatitis is any disease featuring inflammation of the liver. The clinical signs and prognosis, as well as the therapy, depend on the cause. Signs and symptoms Hepatitis is characterised by abdominal pain, fever, hepatomeg or splenic rupture.