What every pediatrician should know about Infectious Mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis was first recognized in 1920, but the etiology was elusive.
Infectious mononucleosis is one of the most common infection seen during adolescence.
The classic triad of fever, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy is well known, but the dynamic nature of the clinical presentation, and the occasional presence of unusual features can mislead many clinicians, resulting in delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Confusion regarding the association of EBV infection with infectious mononucleosis is not unusual. Although EBV is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, not all primary EBV infections manifest as infectious mononucleosis. Furthermore, misconceptions about the serology of infectious mononucleosis can interfere with or prevent prompt diagnosis. EBV infects primarily children and young adults.