Infectious mononucleosis in the community hospital

The clinical records from three community hospitals of 161 patients with a diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis were reviewed. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings were compared with previous studies of selected populations and age groups as well as with those from referral centers. The purpose of this study was to obtain information on infectious mononucleosis as it presents to primary care physicians in the community setting. Infectious mononucleosis can pose diagnostic difficulties, demonstrated by the variety of admission diagnoses made by physicians prior to the laboratory confirmation of the illness. Although often a benign and self-limited illness, hospitalization was often required for minor and rare major complications. Ampicillin-related rash did not occur so frequently as previously reported. The use of steroids in treatment of complications was felt to be appropriate. With few exceptions, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings generally agreed with previous studies.