Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsChronic Epstein-BarrRecurrent MonoMono-Like IllnessesTreatmentCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Chronic Epstein-Barr
Recurrent Mono
Mono-Like Illnesses
Treatment
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Complications of CAEBV infection may include anemia, neuropathy, liver failure, or interstitial pneumonia. In some cases, CAEBV can be fatal.
This article will explain the symptoms and risk factors of CAEBV, and how it is diagnosed. It will also address other illnesses that mimic mono and potential treatment options.
PixelsEffect / Getty Images
CAEBV infection is a rare disorder that occurs when the body cannot control EBV. As the disease progresses, higher levels of EBV are found within DNA in the blood and organs.
Some symptoms of CAEBV infection, such as fever and an enlarged spleen and lymph nodes, are similar to those of the common type of mono. However, the chronic version can present with other symptoms as well, including:
Causes
Certain things can make a person more likely to develop a case of CAEBV infection. Ethnicity may play a role. There is an increased risk among people who are Asian, South American, Central American, and Mexican.
Genetics can also play a role in the development of a CAEBV infection, and research has shown that an inherited immunodeficiency in certain immune cells can be a risk factor. The prevalence of the chronic condition in those of specific ethnic backgrounds also suggests that a genetic component may be at play.
According to research, no one genetic defect has been linked to an increased risk of developing the disease, but some believe that specificantigensknown as A26 and B52 could play a role in its development.
Diagnosis
Because CAEBV is so rare and the symptoms mimic many other illnesses, diagnosing the disease can be challenging. According to one study, the mean length of time from onset to diagnosis in CAEBV patients was 20 months.
In addition, other diseases with similar symptoms may need to be ruled out in order to come up with a CAEBV diagnosis. These include autoimmune disorders, lymphomas, and other viral infections.
When to See Your Healthcare ProviderAnytime you have symptoms that are consistent with mono for longer than a few days, you should check in with your healthcare provider. Since mono can mimic other conditions, getting a proper diagnosis is vital to your recovery.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
Anytime you have symptoms that are consistent with mono for longer than a few days, you should check in with your healthcare provider. Since mono can mimic other conditions, getting a proper diagnosis is vital to your recovery.
Many people with mono only experience symptoms of the infection once, but others may come down with the illness again months, or even years, after the initial transmission. This is different from chronic mono.
Often if the virus does reactivate for a second time, the symptoms will be either milder or nonexistent.Those who have a weakened immune system are most likely to experience symptoms from a reactivation of the virus.
Although it is not entirely clear what causes the virus to be active after being dormant, the recurrence of symptoms can likely be attributed to the function of the immune system.
However, if the immune system isn’t working as it should or there are defects in those cells, the virus can reactivate and cause symptoms. The virus can also reactivate while the body is fighting off another infection.
How Long Fatigue Lasts in Infectious Mononucleosis
Risk Factors
A few risk factors can cause a mono infection to recur. Often referred to as mono relapse, those with weakened immune systems,autoimmune deficiencies, or other diseases that affect immune function are at a higher risk.
Causes and Risk Factors of Mononucleosis
How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Related to Mono?Having mono may increase a person’s risk of developingchronic fatigue syndrome, which is a long-term illness that hinders a person’s ability to perform daily activities because of overwhelming fatigue.
How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Related to Mono?
Having mono may increase a person’s risk of developingchronic fatigue syndrome, which is a long-term illness that hinders a person’s ability to perform daily activities because of overwhelming fatigue.
It’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional when you suspect mono or a CAEBV infection because there are some other health conditions that can mimic these conditions.
Strep Throat
Can You Get Mono and Strep at the Same Time?
The Flu and Other Viruses
A few different viral infections can mimic the symptoms of mono. Theflu, for example, is incredibly common and presents with symptoms similar to mono such as fever, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue.Adenovirusinfections can also cause symptoms similar to those of the flu and mono, such as fever and a sore throat.
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) andherpes simplex virustype 1 are from the same family of viruses that EBV belongs to. Because of this, some of the symptoms can overlap.
The symptoms of a human herpesvirus 6 infection include fever and enlarged lymph nodes.A herpes simplex virus type 1 infection can also present with fever and swollen lymph nodes, which are typical in a case of mono.
What Is Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Acytomegalovirusinfection presents similarly to mono in many ways. Its prevalence is quite high, as is the case with mono, and it is thought that over half of all adults have been infected with CMV at some point in their life.
It also remains inactive in the body forever, but it can reactivate in the future in some cases. Most people who contract CMV don’t have any symptoms, which is similar to mono, but when they do appear, they consist of fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is another viral infection that can present in the same way as mono. Since hepatitis A does affect the liver, there are typically other symptoms not related to mono that are present, such as:
The symptoms of hepatitis A that overlap with those of mono include fever and fatigue. Research has found that a mono infection can also lead to a form of hepatitis known as acute hepatitis.
Toxoplasmosis
The parasite can live within a human body for their entire lives without ever causing symptoms. When rare symptoms do occur, they tend to appear in those with a weak immune system and can include flu-like symptoms, such as swollen lymph glands and muscle aches and pains.
Acute Retroviral Syndrome
Acute retroviral syndrome is the first stage of infection with thehuman immunodeficiency virus(HIV) and can be found in the majority of those who have the infection. The symptoms present in the syndrome are so similar to those of mono that it can often be hard to tell the difference.These symptoms include headache, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, and headache.
There is no cure or medication that can treat mono. The treatment used to help speed up recovery often centers around relieving symptoms for those who have the infection so that they can rest comfortably while they get better.
Some management techniques for mono include:
Because CAEBV in particular is so potentially dangerous, antiviral drugs such as ganciclovir or valganciclovir may be used to help suppress the replication of the Epstein-Barr virus, as well as high-dose corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporine or methotrexate.
How Mononucleosis Is Treated
Coping with mono can be difficult because of the severity of symptoms and the length of time that they can last. The best way to deal with being sick is to let yourself rest, relax, and take the medications you need to alleviate your symptoms.
You could also focus on boosting your immune system with healthy whole foods that are designed to give the immune system everything it needs to fight off an infection. Foods such as green leafy vegetables, bell peppers, apples, and green tea are great choices to start an immune-aiding diet while coping with mono.
Summary
It can be difficult to diagnose CAEBV because it is so rare and also shares several symptoms with other infections and diseases. If you’ve had mono and have symptoms that last for more than a month, see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt can help. Studies show that people with high levels of vitamin C have some protection against mononucleosis. Increasing your intake of vitamin C as well as vitamin D can help you fight the infection.Learn MoreWhat Vitamin C DoesMono can leave you feeling ill and tired for several months, but the effects can last even longer. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mono, remains in your body and can become active again down the road. Even when the virus is inactive, it can cause changes to your body’s cells. EBV is linked to lymphoma and autoimmune diseases.Learn MoreWhat Are Autoimmune Diseases?The virus can be passed on to others as long as you’re in an active state. This is typically about six months while symptoms are present. However, you may have no symptoms and mono could still be active in your body.It’s very hard to tell when you’re “all clear.” If the virus becomes active again, you could again pass it onLearn MoreWhy Mono Flares Up
It can help. Studies show that people with high levels of vitamin C have some protection against mononucleosis. Increasing your intake of vitamin C as well as vitamin D can help you fight the infection.Learn MoreWhat Vitamin C Does
It can help. Studies show that people with high levels of vitamin C have some protection against mononucleosis. Increasing your intake of vitamin C as well as vitamin D can help you fight the infection.
Learn MoreWhat Vitamin C Does
Mono can leave you feeling ill and tired for several months, but the effects can last even longer. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mono, remains in your body and can become active again down the road. Even when the virus is inactive, it can cause changes to your body’s cells. EBV is linked to lymphoma and autoimmune diseases.Learn MoreWhat Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Mono can leave you feeling ill and tired for several months, but the effects can last even longer. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mono, remains in your body and can become active again down the road. Even when the virus is inactive, it can cause changes to your body’s cells. EBV is linked to lymphoma and autoimmune diseases.
Learn MoreWhat Are Autoimmune Diseases?
The virus can be passed on to others as long as you’re in an active state. This is typically about six months while symptoms are present. However, you may have no symptoms and mono could still be active in your body.It’s very hard to tell when you’re “all clear.” If the virus becomes active again, you could again pass it onLearn MoreWhy Mono Flares Up
The virus can be passed on to others as long as you’re in an active state. This is typically about six months while symptoms are present. However, you may have no symptoms and mono could still be active in your body.It’s very hard to tell when you’re “all clear.” If the virus becomes active again, you could again pass it on
Learn MoreWhy Mono Flares Up
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alotaibi Y, Albogami M, Alsaedy A, et al. (October 10, 2022)A lethal manifestation of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: A case report.Cureus14(10): e30158. doi:10.7759/cureus.30158National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection syndrome.Kimura H, Cohen JI.Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease.Front Immunol.2017 Dec 22;8:1867. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01867Arai, A.Advances in the study of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: Clinical features under the 2016 WHO classification and mechanisms of Development.Frontiers in Pediatrics,7, 431893. doi:10.3389/fped.2019.00014Lennon P, Crotty M, Fenton JE.Infectious mononucleosis.BMJ.2015;350(apr21 2):h1825-h1825. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1825Balfour HH Jr, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology.2015;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1The European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE), Rasa S, Nora-Krukle Z, et al.Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).J Transl Med. 2018;16(1):268. doi:10.1186/s12967-018-1644-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.About strep throat.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About adenovirus.National Center for Biotechnology Information - Stat Pearls.Herpesvirus type 6.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Herpes simplex: Signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cytomegalovirus.World Health Organization.Hepatitis A.Manappallil RG, Mampilly N, Josphine B.Acute hepatitis due to infectious mononucleosis.BMJ Case Rep.2019 Aug 30;12(8):e229679. doi:10.1136/bcr-2019-229679Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About toxoplasmosis.Permpalung N, Ungprasert P, Chongnarungsin D, Okoli A, Hyman CL.A diagnostic blind spot: Acute infectious mononucleosis or acute retroviral syndrome.Am J Med.2013;126(9):e5-e6. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.017Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis.Hunninghake R.Effect of high dose vitamin C on Epstein-Barr viral infection.Med Sci Monit. 2014;20:725-732. doi:10.12659/msm.890423Cornell Health.Mononucleosis.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alotaibi Y, Albogami M, Alsaedy A, et al. (October 10, 2022)A lethal manifestation of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: A case report.Cureus14(10): e30158. doi:10.7759/cureus.30158National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection syndrome.Kimura H, Cohen JI.Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease.Front Immunol.2017 Dec 22;8:1867. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01867Arai, A.Advances in the study of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: Clinical features under the 2016 WHO classification and mechanisms of Development.Frontiers in Pediatrics,7, 431893. doi:10.3389/fped.2019.00014Lennon P, Crotty M, Fenton JE.Infectious mononucleosis.BMJ.2015;350(apr21 2):h1825-h1825. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1825Balfour HH Jr, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology.2015;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1The European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE), Rasa S, Nora-Krukle Z, et al.Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).J Transl Med. 2018;16(1):268. doi:10.1186/s12967-018-1644-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.About strep throat.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About adenovirus.National Center for Biotechnology Information - Stat Pearls.Herpesvirus type 6.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Herpes simplex: Signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cytomegalovirus.World Health Organization.Hepatitis A.Manappallil RG, Mampilly N, Josphine B.Acute hepatitis due to infectious mononucleosis.BMJ Case Rep.2019 Aug 30;12(8):e229679. doi:10.1136/bcr-2019-229679Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About toxoplasmosis.Permpalung N, Ungprasert P, Chongnarungsin D, Okoli A, Hyman CL.A diagnostic blind spot: Acute infectious mononucleosis or acute retroviral syndrome.Am J Med.2013;126(9):e5-e6. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.017Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis.Hunninghake R.Effect of high dose vitamin C on Epstein-Barr viral infection.Med Sci Monit. 2014;20:725-732. doi:10.12659/msm.890423Cornell Health.Mononucleosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Alotaibi Y, Albogami M, Alsaedy A, et al. (October 10, 2022)A lethal manifestation of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: A case report.Cureus14(10): e30158. doi:10.7759/cureus.30158National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection syndrome.Kimura H, Cohen JI.Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease.Front Immunol.2017 Dec 22;8:1867. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01867Arai, A.Advances in the study of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: Clinical features under the 2016 WHO classification and mechanisms of Development.Frontiers in Pediatrics,7, 431893. doi:10.3389/fped.2019.00014Lennon P, Crotty M, Fenton JE.Infectious mononucleosis.BMJ.2015;350(apr21 2):h1825-h1825. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1825Balfour HH Jr, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology.2015;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1The European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE), Rasa S, Nora-Krukle Z, et al.Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).J Transl Med. 2018;16(1):268. doi:10.1186/s12967-018-1644-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.About strep throat.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About adenovirus.National Center for Biotechnology Information - Stat Pearls.Herpesvirus type 6.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Herpes simplex: Signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cytomegalovirus.World Health Organization.Hepatitis A.Manappallil RG, Mampilly N, Josphine B.Acute hepatitis due to infectious mononucleosis.BMJ Case Rep.2019 Aug 30;12(8):e229679. doi:10.1136/bcr-2019-229679Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About toxoplasmosis.Permpalung N, Ungprasert P, Chongnarungsin D, Okoli A, Hyman CL.A diagnostic blind spot: Acute infectious mononucleosis or acute retroviral syndrome.Am J Med.2013;126(9):e5-e6. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.017Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis.Hunninghake R.Effect of high dose vitamin C on Epstein-Barr viral infection.Med Sci Monit. 2014;20:725-732. doi:10.12659/msm.890423Cornell Health.Mononucleosis.
Alotaibi Y, Albogami M, Alsaedy A, et al. (October 10, 2022)A lethal manifestation of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: A case report.Cureus14(10): e30158. doi:10.7759/cureus.30158
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection syndrome.
Kimura H, Cohen JI.Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease.Front Immunol.2017 Dec 22;8:1867. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01867
Arai, A.Advances in the study of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: Clinical features under the 2016 WHO classification and mechanisms of Development.Frontiers in Pediatrics,7, 431893. doi:10.3389/fped.2019.00014
Lennon P, Crotty M, Fenton JE.Infectious mononucleosis.BMJ.2015;350(apr21 2):h1825-h1825. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1825
Balfour HH Jr, Dunmire SK, Hogquist KA.Infectious mononucleosis.Clin Transl Immunology.2015;4(2):e33. doi:10.1038/cti.2015.1
The European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE), Rasa S, Nora-Krukle Z, et al.Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).J Transl Med. 2018;16(1):268. doi:10.1186/s12967-018-1644-y
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About strep throat.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About adenovirus.
National Center for Biotechnology Information - Stat Pearls.Herpesvirus type 6.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Herpes simplex: Signs and symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cytomegalovirus.
World Health Organization.Hepatitis A.
Manappallil RG, Mampilly N, Josphine B.Acute hepatitis due to infectious mononucleosis.BMJ Case Rep.2019 Aug 30;12(8):e229679. doi:10.1136/bcr-2019-229679
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About toxoplasmosis.
Permpalung N, Ungprasert P, Chongnarungsin D, Okoli A, Hyman CL.A diagnostic blind spot: Acute infectious mononucleosis or acute retroviral syndrome.Am J Med.2013;126(9):e5-e6. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.017
Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis.
Hunninghake R.Effect of high dose vitamin C on Epstein-Barr viral infection.Med Sci Monit. 2014;20:725-732. doi:10.12659/msm.890423
Cornell Health.Mononucleosis.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
