What Is Epstein Barr Virus?
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The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) belongs to the herpesvirus family. The virus was discovered in 1964, and it infects humans. EBV targets the B cells, which are a type of white blood cells.
EBV is the main cause of mononucleosis, which most people recover from with no complications. However, the virus can cause more serious diseases in some infected people.
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1. Is the Epstein-Barr Virus Common?
The virus is very common. In fact, most people have come in contact with it at some point in their lives and may not even know it. The age groups most commonly infected with EBV are children and young adults. It is most typically found in children, and the symptoms are usually mild and often non-existent.
Infection with the virus is also quite common in teenagers. Teens and adults are more likely to notice symptoms, and it tends to take longer for them to recover fully. However, in most cases there are no long-term consequences of the virus.
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