Mononucleosis is a disease that is mostly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This glandular fever is very common worldwide. It is a non-seasonal disease. Transmission is by droplet infection, typically through kissing. The disease is therefore in the English-speaking world known as the "kissing disease".
The clinical picture usually includes:
However, a number of other symptoms may be associated. It can for example cause a generalized rash, oral hairy leukoplakia, a jaundice, hepatomegaly or splenomegaly.