Mononucleosis
Alternate Names : Epstein-Barr Viral Infection
What can be done to prevent the infection?
EBV is prevalent throughout the world. In the United States, 95% of the adults between 35 and 40 years of age have acquired EBV. The best way to prevent mononucleosis is to limit sharing of drinks, lipsticks, and other sources of saliva. What are the long-term effects of the infection?
When a person has had mononucleosis, EBV may recur later in life. The EBV virus has been associated with Burkitt's lymphoma, an uncommon blood cancer. It has also been associated with nasopharyngeal cancer, a cancer that occurs in the back of the throat area. However, EBV is not the only cause of these cancers. It is extremely rare for people infected with EBV to ever develop either of these cancers. Other more common complications of EBV are as follows:
heart infection
infection of the brain or spinal cord
lymph nodes that are so swollen they cause breathing problems
severe infection in people with weakened immune systems
a ruptured spleen
very low blood counts
What are the risks to others?
EBV is spread through contact with the saliva of the infected person.
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