Mononucleosis

Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, human herpesvirus 4, HHV-4) in which there is an increase of white blood cells that have a single nucleus (monocytes). The infection can be spread by saliva. Its incubation period is four to eight weeks. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. Mononucleosis can cause liver inflammation (hepatitis) and spleen enlargement; vigorous contact sports should be avoided to prevent spleen rupture. It is less severe in young children. Most people exposed to EBV do not develop mononucleosis: most adults carry an antibody against EBV in their blood, meaning they have been infected with EBV at some time. Treatment includes rest, pain medication, and in some cases anti-viral medication. Also known as mono, the kissing disease. See also Epstein-Barr virus.

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Presence of abnormally large numbers of mononuclear leukocytes in the circulating blood, especially with reference to forms that are not normal.

- infectious m. an acute febrile illness of young adults caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, a member of the Herpesviridae family; frequently spread by saliva transfer; characterized by fever, sore throat, enlargement of lymph node s and spleen, and leukopenia that changes to lymphocytosis during the second week; the circulating blood usually contains abnormal, large T lymphocytes that resemble monocytes even though B cells are infected, and there is heterophil antibody that may be completely adsorbed on beef erythrocytes, but not on guinea pig kidney antigen. Collections of the characteristic abnormal lymphocytes may be present not only in the lymph node s and spleen, but in various other sites, such as the meninges, brain, and myocardium. SYN: benign lymphadenosis, glandular fever.

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mono·nu·cle·o·sis -.n(y)ü-klē-'ō-səs n an abnormal increase of mononuclear white blood cells in the blood specif INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS

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n.

the condition in which the blood contains an abnormally high number of mononuclear leucocytes (monocyte and lymphocyte). See glandular fever.

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mono·nu·cle·o·sis (mon″o-noo″kle-oґsis) 1. excessive numbers of circulating monocytes (see monocytosis), usually referring to abnormal types. 2. infectious m.