In developed countries such as the United States, the age of first exposure may be delayed to older childhood and young adult age when symptoms are more likely to result. For this reason, it is recognized more often in high school and college students. In rare instances, the virus has been transmitted by blood transfusion. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollen glands and feeling tired. Sometimes, the liver and spleen are affected.
Duration is from one to several weeks.
The disease is very rarely fatal. Symptoms appear from four to six weeks after exposure. The virus is shed in the throat during the illness and for up to a year after infection. After the initial infection, the virus tends to become dormant for a prolonged period and can later reactivate and be shed from the throat again. No treatment other than rest is needed in the vast majority of cases.