What are the Most Common Epstein-Barr Virus Symptoms?

The most common Epstein-Barr virus symptoms are similar to what most people experience when they have the cold or a flu. A sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes might be experienced, along with a cough and fatigue. In many cases, a person with the Epstein-Barr virus will experience no symptoms at all. Most people develop the Epstein-Barr virus when they are children and never have any further problems with it after that point, although the virus normally lies dormant in a person's body thereafter. When the virus is contracted at the time a person is in his teens or adolescent years, he may develop mononucleosis, which can be very serious.

Scientists have confirmed that the majority of people over the age of 35 have already been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus, also commonly referred to as EBV. The virus is part of the herpes family of viruses, and it is typically contracted through saliva. Things like kissing or eating and drinking after another person are the most common ways in which EBV is spread. Just as with other herpes viruses, the infection never goes away completely. Even if Epstein-Barr virus symptoms never occur, a person may still have the infection and will probably always carry it in her body.

The Epstein-Barr virus is primarily a concern when it is developed during the adolescent or teen years. People who get EBV in this age group often develop mononucleosis, also commonly referred to as mono. The chances of a person in his adolescent or teenage years developing mono as a result of the Epstein-Barr virus is roughly 50 percent. Mono can make a person very sick, but it is not considered fatal. Symptoms of mono tend to be similar to Epstein-Barr virus symptoms, although they are typically much more severe, and it may take a person a few months to completely recover from mono.

Babies born to mothers who have previously had EBV should have an antibody to the virus present in their systems. This antibody generally disappears shortly after birth, at which point a baby is susceptible to the virus. EBV is so common that most people develop it as children soon after this maternal antibody disappears. If a child experiences any Epstein-Barr virus symptoms, they are usually assumed to be the result of some other illness. The Epstein-Barr virus is normally not treated because the majority of people never know they have it, and any symptoms resulting from it typically resolve themselves within a few days to a week.