Infectious Mononucleosis

Key points

• Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, also known as human herpesvirus 4, HHV-4) in 90% of cases. Less frequent causes include cytomegalovirus and HHV-6.
• lymphadenopathy: may be present in the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, in contrast to tonsillitis which typically only results in the upper anterior cervical chain being enlarged
• pyrexia Other features include:
• malaise, anorexia, headache
• palatal petechiae