Dear Denise,
Let me try to answer your question in my way, if you need any clarifications, let me know
The Ebstein-Barr virus has a lon incubation period and
symptoms usually take about 4-10 weeks to develop. Once a person is infected with a herpes virus, it never really goes away. The viruses are able to lie dormant in our bodies and become active at any time. A person can only be infected when someone who has the virus passes it to someone who has never been exposed. But less than 5% of people with EBV can recall being in contact with someone with mono. That is because some people are strictly carriers, and never get any symptoms.
Over 90% of the worldwide population develop EBV. It is contracted usually by a childhood illness. It is a common virus which most of us carry as "dormant" & is virtually harmless, until, our immune system is compromised and then these EBV becomes "activated" and cause us to become ill. Most times our immune system can bounce back and fight these conditions off and we recover.
As you can see it is not your son that is the reason for his girlfriend manifesting with symptoms of EBV, it is the fact that her immunity is low that is causing her to suffer these symptoms. Your son may or may not be a carrier, only a blood test will confirm this though,
Please remember to accept the reply if you find it useful. A BONUS and a positive rating would be duly appreciated,
regards
Dr. Gupta
