A Prospective Clinical Study of Epstein‐Barr Virus and Host Interactions during Acute Infectious Mononucleosis

Abstract

Using a novel qEBV assay, we demonstrated that young adults with primary EBV infection rapidly cleared virus from blood but not from the oropharynx. High oral concentrations of EBV in asymptomatic persons who have resumed normal activities support the concept that infectious mononucleosis is most likely acquired by kissing.