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Infectious mononucleosis

Last reviewed: 24 May 2025
Last updated: 16 Nov 2021

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presence of risk factors
  • fever
  • pharyngitis
  • cervical or generalised lymphadenopathy
  • malaise
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • splenomegaly
  • rash
  • signs of hepatitis (hepatomegaly, jaundice)
  • jaundice
  • myalgia
Full details

Risk factors

  • kissing
  • sexual behaviour
Full details

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • FBC
  • heterophile antibodies
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific antibodies
  • LFTs
Full details

Investigations to consider

  • real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
  • ultrasonography of abdomen
  • CT of abdomen
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

all patients

Contributors

Authors

George Turabelidze, MD, PhD

Medical Epidemiologist

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis

MO

Disclosures

GT declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Linda Kalilani, MBBS, MPhil, PhD

Epidemiologist

College of Medicine

University of Malawi

Zomba

Malawi

Disclosures

LK declares that she has no competing interests.

Paul G. Auwaerter, MD, MBA, FACP, FIDSA

Clinical Director

Division of Infectious Diseases

Associate Professor of Medicine

Divisions of Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore

MD

Disclosures

PGA declares that he has no competing interests.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Vetsika EK, Callan M. Infectious mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus. Expert Rev Mol Med. 2004 Nov 5;6(23):1-16. Abstract

Katz BZ. Update on chronic fatigue syndrome and Epstein-Barr virus. Pediatr Ann. 2002 Nov;31(11):741-4. Abstract

Ganzel TM, Goldman JL, Padhya TA. Otolaryngologic clinical patterns in pediatric infectious mononucleosis. Am J Otolaryngol. 1996 Nov-Dec;17(6):397-400. Abstract

De Paor M, O'Brien K, Fahey T, et al. Antiviral agents for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Dec 8;(12):CD011487.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
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