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Infectious mononucleosis
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Infectious mononucleosis is most often caused by Epstein-Barr virus, and it presents with fever, pharyngitis, which is a sore, inflamed throat, lymphadenopathy, which means swollen lymph nodes, and a lot of tiredness.
The virus arrives in the saliva of someone who is infected and gets in through the oropharynx, the part of the throat behind the mouth. There it infects the epithelial cells lining that surface and multiplies, but it has a clear preference: the B lymphocytes of lymphoid tissue, defense cells that make antibodies. The virus comes in through the throat and moves into the cells that organize the defense.
From there it spreads through the lymphatic system, the network that connects the lymph nodes, and wakes up the CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, other defense cells. All of that tissue responds by growing, and that is lymphoid hyperplasia: it is why swollen lymph nodes commonly show up all over the body, along with tonsillitis and hepatosplenomegaly, which means an enlarged liver and spleen.
In brief
Infectious mononucleosis is most often caused by Epstein-Barr virus and presents with fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy and fatigue.
The virus enters through the oropharynx in infected saliva, infects epithelial cells and replicates, with a particular affinity for the B lymphocytes of lymphoid tissue.
The virus comes in through the throat and moves into the cells that organize the defense.
It then spreads through the lymphatic system and activates CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes; the resulting lymphoid hyperplasia commonly produces lymphadenopathy, tonsillitis and hepatosplenomegaly.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingMononucleosis, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated