The Epstein-Barr virus can cause a variety of diseases. The best known is Pfeiffer's glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis). How the infection occurs, what are the symptoms, how the diagnosis is made and treated, and what the long-term effects of the virus can be.
- The Epstein-Barr virus is found in saliva, which is why it is mainly transmitted when kissing.
- © Getty Images / Willie B. Thomas
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) belongs to the herpes viruses (herpes virus type 4, HHV 4). Most people get Epstein-Barr virus once in a lifetime. Infections often run without symptoms (asymptomatic) in childhood. There are two types of Epstein-Barr virus: EBV type 1 and EBV type 2.
At a glance:
Possible causes of swollen lymph nodes
Symptoms of the Epstein-Barr virus
The symptoms caused by the Epstein-Barr virus vary widely. Children under five years of age usually have no symptoms at all or general symptoms of a respiratory tract infection such as high fever and a reddened throat.
In adults, infection with EBV often manifests as glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis). Typical symptoms are then:
In 50 percent of those affected, there is also an enlargement of the spleen, which must be observed.
Symptoms and illnesses that can be triggered by the Epstein-Barr virus also include:
In rare cases, a chronic infection with the Epstein-Barr virus can also occur, which can be manifested by repeated attacks of fever with swelling of the lymph nodes, joint pain, enlarged spleen, inflammation of the liver and pneumonia.
Epstein-Barr virus infection
The Epstein-Barr virus is transmitted from person to person through saliva. This is why infections with EBV are also known as kissing disease, as the virus is transmitted when kissing. However, it is also transmitted through coughing and sneezing. People who are acutely infected with the Epstein-Barr virus shed the virus for weeks to months. After infection, it can take four to eight weeks for symptoms to appear (incubation period). In adolescents, on the other hand, the symptoms usually appear after ten to 14 days.
Infected people are contagious before the first symptoms appear. Since the viral load in the body decreases over time, but viruses are present for a very long time, infected people also remain contagious for a very long time. This is believed to be the reason why almost all people come into contact with the Epstein-Barr virus at some point in their life.
Epstein-Barr virus: diagnosis in the blood
The symptoms usually lead to the suspicion of an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. A blood test can reveal if different antibodies are present. If the liver is involved through the Epstein-Barr virus, different liver values may also be abnormal. The blood count also provides information on whether it is an acute infection or a previous infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. Other infections must be ruled out (differential diagnosis). A throat swab can reveal whether streptococci or the Epstein-Barr virus is the cause of a sore throat.
Treatment of infection with EBV
There is no causal therapy to treat Epstein-Barr virus infection. Therefore, only the symptoms can be treated. The following is useful for this:
- physical rest (first bed rest, then rest for up to six weeks)
- adequate hydration
- Medicines to lower fever and relieve pain, such as paracetamol
- may take antibiotics if there are additional infections
Course, prognosis and long-term consequences
An infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus such as Pfeiffer's glandular fever heals most people without any consequences. However, this takes a relatively long time, which means that those affected have to struggle with the symptoms for several weeks.
Complications can occur in people with immunodeficiency, and in rare cases. These can be among others:
In addition, various malignant tumors can be triggered by EBV. So the Epstein-Barr virus can cause cancer. In Africa, a more common cancer caused by EBV is Burkitt's lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is part of the lymphatic gland cancer. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin's disease and oral hairy leukoplakia, which occurs mainly in people with HIV, also seem to be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
9 tips for headaches and body aches
