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Epstein-Barr Virus Patient Information

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human virus. Most people in the world become infected with EBV. Symptoms depend on the age of the patient when the infection occurs.

  1. Prevalence

    • The National Center for Infectious Diseases estimates 95 percent of adults have been infected with EBV.

    Age Factors

    • If a patient is infected with EBV as a child, symptoms are usually very mild. EBV causes infectious mononucleosis in 35 percent to 50 percent of young adults or adolescents.

    Prevention

    • It is almost impossible to prevent transmission of EBV. The virus is carried in the saliva of healthy people who have been previously exposed to EBV.

    Spreading of Virus

    • If a person has previously been infected with EBV, they will not catch infectious mononucleosis. The virus is passed through saliva and not through the air or blood. The time between contracting the virus and having symptoms can be four to six weeks.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis (which is caused by EBV) usually include swollen lymph nodes, fever and sore throat. In rare cases more serious symptoms occur.

    Treatment

    • The only treatment for infectious mononucleosis is treatment of the symptoms.

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