Open AccessInfectious Mononucleosis Hepatitis – An Unwelcome Present for Father Christmas
Author(s) -
S. H. Hussaini,
Nicola Pilkington,
John N Barnes
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acute medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.14
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1747-4892
pISSN - 1747-4884
DOI - 10.52964/amja.0296
Subject(s) - mononucleosis , medicine , epidemiology , disease , hepatitis a , hepatitis , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pediatrics , immunology , virology , virus , pathology
We describe a case of infectious mononucleosis (IM) hepatitis occurring in an elderly thespian, who had recently played the role of ‘Father Christmas’. We discuss the importance of differing clinical manifestations in older and younger age groups, the changing epidemiology of Epstein Barr (EB) infection within the United Kingdom and the role of different virology tests in establishing a diagnosis. Raised awareness of this changing pattern of disease could prevent unnecessary investigation and consequent potential iatrogenic complications.