What it means
Named after Anthony Epstein and Yvonne Barr, the British researchers who found it. Most people catch it in childhood or youth; in teenagers and young adults it often causes mononucleosis ("mono"). Like other herpes viruses, it stays in the body for life. It is also linked to some cancers, including some types of lymphomalim-FOH-muhA cancer of lymphocytes, the white blood cells of the lymph system.lymph/o lymph-oma tumorFull entry .
For the nurse
For mono, teach rest, fluids and fever control, not sharing drinks or utensils, and avoiding contact sports and heavy lifting until the provider clears it, because the spleen can enlarge and rupture.
At a glance
| Also written | EBV |
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Related terms
lymphoma
A cancer of lymphocytes, the white blood cells of the lymph system.
Hodgkin lymphoma
A cancer of the lymphatic system that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes and has large abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells.