Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a clinical syndrome, usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EPV), characterized by lymphadenopathy, fever, and sore throat. Most cases of symptomatic IM occur in older teenagers or young adults. Since EBV virus has not been recovered from environmental sources, humans are the major reservoir. EBV often get acquired in childhood but remain subclinical. Symptomatic incidence begins to rise in adolescent or between 15-24 years of age.
The majority of the adults are not susceptible to the disease because of the previous exposure during their childhood. Although, transmission of this virus can take place through salivary secretions of the infected person, but this will not entail it to be a contagious disease. EPV is also detected in breast milk. Transmission and Pathogenesis EBV infects the B cells in the oropharyngeal epithelium. The incubation period…
