infectious mononucleosis

noun

: an acute infectious disease associated with Epstein-Barr virus that is characterized especially by fever, sore throat, swelling of lymph nodes, fatigue, and lymphocytosis and occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults

—abbreviation IM

called also kissing disease, mono

Examples of infectious mononucleosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers found that the probability of an individual having infectious mononucleosis rose with palatal petechiae presence.5 The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which can cause mono, is not the only germ that can lead to palatal petechiae. —Reven Widener, Health, 31 May 2023

Although childhood Epstein-Barr infections are typically mild, exposure in teens and young adults can lead to infectious mononucleosis, a weeks-long illness that sickens 125,000 Americans a year, causing sore throats, swollen glands, and extreme fatigue. —Liz Szabo, CNN, 18 Oct. 2022

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can cause the disease. —Julia Musto, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2021

Some viruses, including Epstein-Barr, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, have been linked to MS. —CBS News, 19 Oct. 2022

Earlier experimental Epstein-Barr vaccines targeting one viral protein lowered the rate of infectious mononucleosis but failed to prevent viral infection. —Liz Szabo, CNN, 18 Oct. 2022

There are other viral illnesses that produce a post-viral fatigue syndrome, such as infectious mononucleosis, often referred to as mono, which is more commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. —Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2022

At least one out of four teenagers and young adults who get infected with EBV will develop infectious mononucleosis, according to the CDC. —Robyn Merrett, PEOPLE.com, 27 Oct. 2021

Some scientists, like immunologist Dr. Nancy Klimas, wonder if long COVID is caused by old viruses that stay in the body but are typically held in check, like infectious mononucleosis. —Dr. Maia Ou, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for infectious mononucleosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• diagnosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis

Medical Definition

infectious mononucleosis

noun

: an acute infectious disease associated with Epstein-Barr virus that is characterized especially by fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and lymphocytosis and occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults

—abbreviation IM

called also glandular fever, kissing disease, mono