![]() ![]() If you’re between ages of 15 and 25, your doctor might also ask if you’ve been in contact with any individuals who have mono.Īge is one of the main factors for diagnosing mono along with the most common symptoms: fever, sore throat, and swollen glands. Once you visit your doctor, they’ll normally ask how long you’ve had symptoms. Learn more about how EBV is diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus test.īecause other, more serious viruses such as hepatitis A can cause symptoms similar to mono, your doctor will work to rule out these possibilities. In addition to its connection with mono, experts are looking into possible links between EBV and conditions such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. In rare cases it can reactivate, but there usually won’t be any symptoms. According to the CDC, it’s one of the most common viruses to infect humans around the world.Īfter you become infected with EBV, it remains inactive in your body for the rest of your life. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family. In children, the virus typically causes no symptoms, and the infection often goes unrecognized. In adolescents and adults, the infection sometimes doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. It usually takes 4 to 8 weeks for symptoms to develop after you’re infected. You can be exposed to the virus by a cough or sneeze, by kissing, or by sharing food or drinks with someone who has mono. It’s also spread through sexual contact and organ transplantation. The virus is spread through direct contact with saliva from the mouth of an infected person or other bodily fluids, such as blood. For this reason, mono affects mainly high school and college students. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mono occurs 25 percent of the time when an adolescent or young adult is infected with EBV. However, plenty of children in the United States and other developed countries don’t get these infections in their early years. Any child who gets EBV will probably be immune to mono for the rest of their life. Once you have an EBV infection, you aren’t likely to get another one. In very young children, symptoms are usually nonexistent or so mild that they aren’t recognized as mono. Many people develop EBV infections as children after age 1. Mono, or infectious mononucleosis, refers to a group of symptoms usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The virus is spread through saliva, which is why some people refer to it as “the kissing disease.” There is no specific treatment for EBV.Mononucleosis typically occurs in teenagers, but you can get it at any age. You can help protect yourself by not kissing or sharing drinks, food, or personal items, like toothbrushes, with people who have EBV infection. There is no vaccine to protect against EBV infection. About nine out of ten of adults have antibodies that show that they have a current or past EBV infection.įor more information, see Laboratory Testing. EBV infection can be confirmed with a blood test that detects antibodies. Diagnosisĭiagnosing EBV infection can be challenging because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses. If the virus reactivates, you can potentially spread EBV to others no matter how much time has passed since the initial infection. Once the virus is in your body, it stays there in a latent (inactive) state. ![]() The first time you get infected with EBV (primary EBV infection) you can spread the virus for weeks and even before you have symptoms. The virus probably survives on an object at least as long as the object remains moist. However, EBV can also spread through blood and semen during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantations.ĮBV can be spread by using objects, such as a toothbrush or drinking glass, that an infected person recently used. having contact with toys that children have drooled onĮBV spreads most commonly through bodily fluids, especially saliva.using the same cups, eating utensils, or toothbrushes. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |