Epstein-Barr virus
Mono's infectious agent
Epstein-Barr virus, often abbreviated EBV, is a common herpesvirus that infects most humans at some point in their lives.
It spreads primarily through saliva, earning infectious mononucleosis—the illness it most famously causes—the nickname "the kissing disease." In many people the virus produces no symptoms or only mild ones, but it can cause severe fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat, particularly in teenagers and young adults.
The virus remains dormant in the body after infection and has been linked to certain cancers and autoimmune conditions.
Contagious viral infection causing exhaustion
- monoSingle, as prefix
- contagiousTransmissible between people
- transmissionSending of information
- salivaMouth's digestive secretion
incubation · fever · fatigue · pharyngitis · tonsillitis · hepatomegaly · malaise · lethargy
DNA virus, lifelong host
- capsidViral genetic material's casing
- glycoproteinProtein bonded to carbohydrates
- polymeraseNucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- virionSingle viral unit
tegument · viremia · epidemiology · virology · antigen
Suspended biological activity
- reactivationRestoring to function
- asymptomaticDiseased without outward signs
- subclinicalBelow symptom detection level
- immunocompromisedReduced ability to fight infection
Cancer from immune cells
- immortalizationMaking something last forever
- transformationThorough change in form
- malignancyCancerous, invasive growth
Antibody-secreting immune cells
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- lymphocytesAdaptive immunity cells
- antibodyProtein targeting foreign substances
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
cytotoxic · immunosuppression · autoimmunity · cytokines · immunodeficiency · humoral
mononucleosis
Contagious viral infection causing exhaustion
- monoSingle, as prefix
- contagiousTransmissible between people
- transmissionSending of information
saliva · incubation · fever · fatigue · pharyngitis · tonsillitis · hepatomegaly · malaise · lethargy
herpesvirus
DNA virus, lifelong host
- capsidViral genetic material's casing
- glycoproteinProtein bonded to carbohydrates
- polymeraseNucleic acid synthesis enzyme
virion · tegument · viremia · epidemiology · virology · antigen
dormancy
Suspended biological activity
- reactivationRestoring to function
- asymptomaticDiseased without outward signs
- subclinicalBelow symptom detection level
lymphoma
Cancer from immune cells
- immortalizationMaking something last forever
- transformationThorough change in form
- malignancyCancerous, invasive growth
B-cells
Antibody-secreting immune cells
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- lymphocytesAdaptive immunity cells
- antibodyProtein targeting foreign substances
immunoglobulin · cytotoxic · immunosuppression · autoimmunity · cytokines · immunodeficiency · humoral
- Gammaherpesviruses
- oncologycancer, tumor, carcinoma, metastasis, malignancy
- Pathogenspathogen, germ, germs, bacteria, bacterium
- Neuroimmunologymultiple sclerosis, blood-brain barrier, myelin, transverse myelitis, relapsing-remitting
- bloodborne pathogensHIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis, Babesia
- OncovirusesHPV, HCV, oncovirus, papillomavirus, polyomavirus
Epstein-Barr virusbacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
E. coli · fungal infection · bacterial infection · parasites · parasitic infection
Epstein-Barr virusantiviral drug
Medication combating viral pathogens
acyclovir · immune system · antibody · vaccine · cure