Are Sore Throat And Severe Fatigue Indicative Of Acute Mononucleosis?

Posted on Thu, 23 Nov 2023

Question: I am fifty eight and have just been told that I have Mono, I have not had it before but my son did when he was in the third grade. He is 38 now. Could I have been harboring the EBS all this time?
My symptons are extreme fatigue and sore throat. Had the blood test yesterday.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:

I need to know the result of EBV serology (IgM,IgG).

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I have read your history and I need to know the result of your serology for EBV VCA IgM and IgG in order to find if this is an acute situation or chronic active situation.

You should know that sometimes the acute mononucleosis could be asymptomatic, but it can cause active symptomatic infection, including infectious mononucleosis, which resolves spontaneously after EBV-specific immunity develops.

EBV usually remains latent following the primary infection, although in some patients it progresses to chronic active infection characterized by a persistent infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome, which may include fever, persistent hepatitis, extensive lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, high viral loads in peripheral blood, and an unusual pattern of EBV-related antibodies.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Monika Dede, Infectious Diseases Specialist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad