EBV is one of the herpes viruses and humans are the hosts of EBV infections, which are mainly transmitted through saliva. In addition, EBVs are closely associated with the development of infectious mononucleosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and childhood lymphoma, and are classified as one of the human oncogenic viruses that may cause cancer. EBVs proliferate in the epithelial cells of the oropharynx and then infect B-lymphocytes, which enter the bloodstream in large numbers and cause systemic infection. EBV infection can manifest as both proliferative and latent infections. EBVs can cause infectious mononucleosis. Its clinical manifestations include fever, pharyngitis, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, enlarged lymph nodes, and abnormal liver function. There is a large number of abnormal lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Fever, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, and purulent tonsillar exudates are more common in preschool and school-age children. EBV can also cause Burkitt’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Burkitt’s lymphoma, most often seen in African children, is a highly malignant B-lymphocytic tumor. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common epithelial malignancy that occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults over the age of 40. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent EBV infection, but the recombinant vaccine developed in China is under observation. There is a lack of antiviral drugs with positive efficacy for EBV infection.