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Who is affected by infectious mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) occurs in about 1 in 2,000 people every year. People between the ages of 10 and 24 are most likely to develop symptoms of mono.^1,²

Most people have been exposed to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mono, by the time they reach adulthood. They likely won't have symptoms, but they can spread the virus to others every now and then throughout their lifetime.

Young children infected with the virus usually have no symptoms or only mild symptoms.
If a person is first infected with the virus as a teen or young adult, he or she is likely to develop symptoms of mono.

Citations

Hirsch MS (2007). Herpesvirus infections. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 7, chap. 26. New York: WebMD.

Johannsen EC, et al. (2005). Epstein-Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis). In GL Mandell et al., eds., Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 6th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1801-1820. Philadelphia: Elsevier.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Revised	September 29, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: September 29, 2009

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