Infectious mononucleosis

Question 1

What is infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 1

Infectious mononucleosis (IM), also known as glandular fever, is a clinical syndrome most commonly caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in 80% to 90% of cases

Question 2

What are Sx of IM

Answer 2

Febrile illness, sore throat, lymphadenopathy, malaise, splenomegaly

Question 3

What are risk factors for IM?

Answer 3

sex

kissing

Question 4

What Ix in IM?

Answer 4

FBC: Lymphocytosis with greater than 50% lymphocytes seen in 70% cases.

Anaemia and reticulocytosis can also identify patients with haemolytic anaemia secondary to EBV infection.

Heterophile antibodies: e.g. monospot, non-specific, IgM antibodies

EBV antibodies

LFTs may show transaminitis

Question 5

What is Rx of IM?

Answer 5

paracetamol, ibuprofen

corticosteroids may help upper airway obstruction

Question 6

What are complications of IM?

Answer 6

Malignancy: Burkitt’s, Hodgkin’s, lymphomas

Splenic rupture