Mononucleosis overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Infectious mononucleosis or mononucleosis also known as kissing disease, or Pfeiffer's disease, in North America as mono and more commonly known as glandular fever in other English-speaking countries. It occurs most commonly in adolescents and young adults, where it is characterized by fever, sore throat, muscle soreness, and fatigue. Infectious Mononucleosis typically produces a very mild illness in small children, but is usually asymptomatic. Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which infects B cells (B-lymphocytes), producing a reactive lymphocytosis and atypical T cells (T-lymphocytes) known as Downey bodies.
The name comes because the number of mononuclear leukocytes (white blood cells with a one-lobed nucleus) rises significantly. There are two main types of mononuclear leukocytes: monocytes and lymphocytes. Normal blood values are 35% of all white blood cells. With infectious mononucleosis, this can rise to 50-70%. Also, the total white blood count may increase to 10,000-20,000 per cubic millimeter (normally 4,000-11,000).