Epstein Barr Virus

            
            
             The causative agent or pathogen of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is the herpes virus.
            
             People infected with the Epstein Barr virus will retain it for life, however it may not make them sick. It is spread mainly via the transfer of saliva between individuals, which is the reason that glandular fever (or infectious mononucleosis, which is the first stage of the EBV) has been dubbed the "kissing disease".
             CHANGE IN VIRULENCE OVER TIME.
             Most people become infected with EBV during their lives. Infants become susceptible to EBV as soon as maternal antibody protection (present at birth) disappears. Many children become infected with EBV, and these infections usually cause no symptoms or are indistinguishable from the other mild, brief illnesses of childhood. At early stages, the virus causes no harm to humans. However, as it continues to replicate in our body, it destroys our immune system and therefore can be very harmful. It could cause a more dangerous disease, which sometimes could cause death.
             SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
             The signs and symptoms shown during the primary syndromes, particularly in infectious mononucleosis are:.
            
             • fever, flu .
            
             • sore throat .
            
             • enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the neck and axilla (armpit) .
            
             • facial swelling .
            
             • general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise) .
            
             • sleep disturbance.
            
             • drowsiness .
            
             • loss of appetite .
            
             • muscle aches or stiffness .
            
             • enlarged spleen .
            
             • rash .
            
             • difficulty, foggy thinking.
            
             • sensitivity to heat, cold, and hearing.
             Meanwhile, the less frequently occurring symptoms include: .
            
             • jaundice (yellow cast to skin) .
            
             • headache .
            
             • neck stiffness .
            
             • sensitivity to light .
            
             • cough .
            
             • shortness of breath .
            
             • chest pain .
            
             • rapid heart rate .