Primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus is known as
Primary infection with the human herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), may result in subclinical seroconversion or may appear as infectious mononucleosis (IM), a lymphoproliferative disease of variable severity. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common and usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood. EBV is the cause of infectious mononucleosis (also termed  mono ), an illness associated with fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and sometimes an enlarged spleen. Epstein-Barr virus is not a reportable infection, and the exact frequency of symptomatic primary infection is not known. By age 5 years, approximately 50% of the US population is infected. During childhood, primary infection is usually asymptomatic or associated with mild elevation of liver function test findings. The virus was first discovered in 1964 when Sir Michael Anthony Epstein and Ms. Yvonne Barr found it in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line. In 1968, the virus was linked to the disease infectious mononucleosis. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common and usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood. In immunocompetent individuals primary infection with EBV is most often frequently asymptomatic (10). IM may present as a mild infectious illness of young children, but in young adults primary EBV infection can cause a type of IM known as the Pfeiffer's Druesenfieber (drüsenfieber glandular) fever or kissing (disease). 20 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4, is a member of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common human viruses. EBV is found all over the world. Most people get infected with EBV at some point in their lives. In 1968, the virus was linked to the disease infectious mononucleosis. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common and usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4, is a member of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common human viruses. EBV is found all over the world. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a γ herpesvirus that persists for life in humans as a latent infection of B cells under the immunosurveillance of CD8 + αβ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) (reviewed in Khanna and Burrows 1). An interesting enigma in EBV biology is the variable nature of primary infection. Most primary Epstein-Barr virus infections are asymptomatic. It is perhaps the most common reason for fever of unknown origin in young children and can present with fever in isolation or in the context of lymphadenopathy, fatigue, or nonspecific malaise.
Infectious mononucleosis 