Epstein-Barr virus is classically associated with which clinical syndrome?

Epstein-Barr virus is classically associated with which clinical syndrome?

• A. Mononucleosis
• B. Pharyngitis
• C. Viral pharyngitis
• D. Conjunctivitis

Answer: (A)

Epstein-Barr virus is classically associated with infectious mononucleosis, a syndrome that typically affects adolescents and young adults and includes fever, sore throat with exudative tonsillitis, swollen tender posterior cervical lymph nodes, fatigue, and sometimes splenomegaly. Lab clues often show atypical lymphocytosis and a positive heterophile (Monospot) test. While pharyngitis can occur, and conjunctivitis is not characteristic of EBV, those are not the hallmark syndrome. So the best answer is mononucleosis.

Epstein-Barr virus is classically associated with infectious mononucleosis, a syndrome that typically affects adolescents and young adults and includes fever, sore throat with exudative tonsillitis, swollen tender posterior cervical lymph nodes, fatigue, and sometimes splenomegaly. Lab clues often show atypical lymphocytosis and a positive heterophile (Monospot) test. While pharyngitis can occur, and conjunctivitis is not characteristic of EBV, those are not the hallmark syndrome. So the best answer is mononucleosis.