Epstein-Barr virus infection is an infection with a virus from the herpes virus family. The disease is also known as infectious mononucleosis or Pfeiffer’s glandular fever (synonyms: EBV; EBV infection; Epstein-Barr virus infection; infectious mononucleosis (Pfeiffer’s glandular fever); kissing disease; mononucleosis; monocyte angina; Pfeiffer’s glandular fever; student’s disease; ICD-10-GM B27.-: Infectious mononucleosis). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus. It is a gamma herpes virus and belongs to the family Herpesviridae.
Occurrence: The virus has a worldwide distribution. The infection rate in adults is up to 90 % (in Germany). In developing countries, it is already almost 100% in young children.
Transmission of the pathogen (route of infection) occurs primarily through kissing, which is why the disease is often called “kissing disease”. However, the pathogens can also be transmitted aerogenically (droplet infection: through droplet nuclei (aerosols) containing the pathogen in the exhaled air) and through smear infection, blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants. Transmission through sexual contact is questionable.
The incubation period (time from infection to onset of the disease) is usually between 1 to 6 weeks (usually 1-3 weeks to two months).
Peak incidence: The disease occurs predominantly in adolescence (16-20 years of age) and in young adults. By age 30, almost everyone is infected with the virus, but only half develop the disease.
The duration of infectivity (contagiousness) is during the acute phase of the disease and as long as the virus is detectable in the saliva of the infected person, which can be up to several months after infection.
The disease leaves lifelong immunity.
Course and prognosis: In children, the infection is usually asymptomatic (without noticeable symptoms). However, the older the affected person, the more likely symptoms (sore throat, petechiae (flea-like bleeding) on the palate, lymphadenopathy (lymph node enlargement), splenomegaly/spleen enlargement) occur. In infected individuals with otherwise functioning immune function, the course is mild and heals spontaneously (on its own) after 2-3 weeks. In contrast, infected persons with immunodeficiency (immune deficiency) usually develop a severe course.
A vaccination against Epstein-Barr virus infection is not yet available.
In Germany, the disease is not notifiable according to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). However, notification is possible if more than two serious illnesses occur that are temporally related.
