Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

Infectious mononucleosis in active patients: definitive answers to common questions

Paul G Auwaerter1

  • 1John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. pauwaert@jhmi.edu.

The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|January 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Infectious mononucleosis, caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), presents diagnostic and management challenges. Most athletes with mononucleosis can return to sports after four weeks if their spleen is not enlarged.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Infectious mononucleosis causes significant illness, particularly in adolescents and young adults.
  • Characterized by fever, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy, its diagnosis and management can be complex.
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) primary infection can manifest in diverse ways with potential complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current information on infectious mononucleosis diagnosis and management.
  • To assess the reliability of heterophil antibody testing and EBV-specific antibody testing.
  • To provide guidance on managing infectious mononucleosis, including athletic participation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies and clinical information.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic testing reliability for Epstein-Barr virus.
  • Analysis of management strategies, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.

Main Results:

  • Heterophil antibody testing reliability is reassessed.
  • The role of EBV-specific antibody testing in diagnosis is clarified.
  • Guidelines for managing infectious mononucleosis and return-to-play protocols are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Physicians need to understand EBV epidemiology and pathophysiology for effective management.
  • Accurate diagnosis relies on appropriate antibody testing.
  • Athletes can typically resume sports after 4 weeks if spleen is not palpable.

More Related Videos

An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection09:43

An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Published on: March 30, 2018

Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue07:38

Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue

Published on: June 14, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Stages of Infection01:26

Stages of Infection

Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence. The incubation stage is the period from exposure to a pathogen until symptoms start. The infected person is unaware of impending illness as the pathogens grow and multiply within the body. The duration may vary depending on the type of infection. The incubation period of measles averages ten to...
Disorders of Leukocytes01:27

Disorders of Leukocytes

Leukocyte disorders can lead to either leukopenia, characterized by an abnormally low leukocyte count, or leukocytosis, marked by a very high leukocyte number.
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune system...
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
Myocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:22

Myocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition of the myocardium requiring meticulous nursing management for optimal patient outcomes. Effective management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's medical history, paying close attention to past infections, autoimmune disorders, travel history, and exposure to toxins or drugs. Recent viral infections and systemic diseases are particularly relevant due to their potential role in triggering myocarditis.Physical Examination and MonitoringThe...