EBV infection in adults does not affect life expectancy and usually has a favorable prognosis with a mortality rate of less than 1%.
EBV is also known as human herpesvirus type 4. Diseases commonly caused by EBV include infectious mononucleosis and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The main symptoms are fever, pharyngitis, enlarged lymph nodes, etc. It is mostly seen in children and adolescents. In general, it is mostly self-limiting, with a duration of about 2~3 weeks, and can recur. If the infection is detected and treated in time, the prognosis is basically good.
It is important to note that if one suffers from congenital immunodeficiency, the disease may deteriorate rapidly after infection with EBV and death may result. There is no relevant vaccine, and the main antiviral and symptomatic treatments, such as penicillin, ganciclovir, acyclovir, and interferon, are recommended to be used under medical supervision.