Monoleucliosis Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is an acute, benign illness that is self-limiting. IM is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegolovirus (CMV), commonly affecting both, children and adults. Other infectious agents can be caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, herpes virus, influenza A and B viruses, rubella virus, and hepatitis A virus. Typically, the presentation of this syndrome includes malaise, fever, lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, and unusual lymphocytosis. The presenation can also present with symptomatic pulmonary involvement (Buttaro, Trybulski, Bailey, & Sandberg-Cook, 2011). EBV-IM is contracted through oropharyngeal secretions through kissing and sharing utensils. Transmission through bodily fluids, most commonly blood has also a mode of transmission. The virus infects the oral epithelial cells and then spreads to the B …show more content…
Sore throat and adenopathy are atypical in older adults; however, hepatomegaly and jaundice are more common. When lymphadenopathy is present, it usually diffuse affecting the anterior and posterior cervical chain. Fever as high as 104°F, lasting as long as two weeks is common. Symptoms of EBV-IM usually are the greatest at seven days after onset and become less evident during the following 1 to 3 weeks. Enlargement of the spleen occurs in more than 40% of cases, ultrasonography should be used to evaluate splenomegaly (Buttaro et al., 2011). The immune response results in the clinical presentation of EBV-IM causing the typical signs and symptoms. The incubation period of EBV-IM is typically between 4 to 8 weeks. Hepatic involvement associated with EBV-IM fluctates in severity and increases with age. The production of antibodies against EBV antigens are stimulated by acute EBV infection, which continues for lifetime (Buttaro et al.,