Mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr What s the connection - Mayo Clinic
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Answer From Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a widespread human herpes virus, can cause mononucleosis - but usually it doesn't. In fact, most EBV infections aren't noticeable, even when they're most active in your body. By age 35, almost everyone has antibodies to EBV, indicating past infection. It takes more than an uncovered cough or sneeze to transmit EBV. During primary infection, people shed the virus in saliva. You need close contact, such as kissing or sharing a cup with an infected person, to catch EBV. The infection generally causes no signs or symptoms, except in teenagers and young adults. In that age group, at least a quarter of infections cause mononucleosis - a disease that features fatigue, headache, fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. With Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
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Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Mononucleosis: Can it recur? ShareTweet Nov. 17, 2020 Show references Epstein-Barr virus and infectious mononucleosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/index.html. Accessed July 26, 2017. Sullivan JL. Clinical manifestations and treatment of Epstein-Barr virus infection. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 26, 2017. See more Expert Answers Products and Services
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