What is the acute infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus?

Answer 1

Epstein-Barr is a virus in the herpes family (number 4) that is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis (also called mono and glandular fever). It was first described in 1968 by Epstein and Barr. Around nine out of 10 adults carry the virus, making it one of the commonest human viral infections around. The virus "hides" from our immune systems until they weaken and then they attack. Many times this results in cancer of the lymph system. It has been commonly seen in HIV patients and organ transplant patients because their immune systems are not working well.

Answer 2

When infection with EBV occurs during adolescence or young adulthood, it causes infectious mononucleosis 35% to 50% of the time. Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. Sometimes, a swollen spleen or liver involvement may develop. Heart problems or involvement of the central nervous system occurs only rarely, and infectious mononucleosis is almost never fatal. There are no known associations between active EBV infection and problems during pregnancy, such as miscarriages or birth defects. Although the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually resolve in 1 or 2 months, EBV remains dormant or latent in a few cells in the throat and blood for the rest of the person's life. Periodically, the virus can reactivate and is commonly found in the saliva of infected persons. This reactivation usually occurs without symptoms of illness. It is a common virus however and most people contract it in their lifetime, and similarly most do not know they have had it either.

EBV may also cause Burkitt's lymphoma.

Answer 3

infectious mononucleosis