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Query: UMLS:C0021345 (infectious mononucleosis)
 3,358 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Infectious mononucleosis continues to be an important medical problem of young adults. Diagnosis is based on three principal criteria: (1) a compatible clinical picture, (2) characteristic hematologic changes, and (3) a positive serology. A relative lymphocytosis of 60% or higher with at least 20% atypical lymphocytes is a common feature. Laboratory diagnosis is dependent on proper application and interpretation of the various serologic tests. Evidence of abnormal liver function is of particular value in differentiating this disease from bacterial and viral pharyngitis.
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PMID:Diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. 17 48

The second common problem to be presented in this series is the acute sore throat. The common causes are viral pharyngitis and tonsillitis due to streptococcus pyogenes. Another important cause that warrants attention is Epstein Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis) so that prescribing of penicillins is carefully considered. The sore throat may be the presentation of serious and hidden systemic diseases, such as blood dyscrasias, AIDS and diabetes (due to moniliasis).
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PMID:Acute sore throat. 227 71

Pharyngitis or sore throat is a common result of illness in pediatric and adolescent populations. Sore throat can signal either nonsystemic or systemic disease processes. Clinicians in ambulatory settings are often faced with deriving a differential diagnosis based on this symptom. Prompt and appropriate treatment depends on identification of the underlying causative agent or illness. This article examines common causes of sore throat in the pediatric and adolescent populations. These diagnoses are: (1) group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis; (2) non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacterial pharyngitis; (3) viral pharyngitis; (4) infectious mononucleosis; and (5) chronic conditions. Less common causes are also considered. Differential diagnosis is dependent on complete and accurate history, distinct physical finding, and interpretation of adjunct diagnostic tests. The value of critical data sources is essential in arriving at a differential diagnosis of pharyngitis. Once a diagnosis is established, an appropriate treatment plan can be initiated.
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PMID:Differential diagnosis of common causes of pediatric pharyngitis. 880 91

In young adults with acute pharyngitis, the main differential diagnosis is between GAS pharyngitis, EBV infectious mononucleosis, or other causes of viral pharyngitis. A positive RST does not differentiate GAS colonization from infection as is well illustrated by this case. Laboratory test results must be interpreted in the appropriate clinical context to be diagnostically meaningful. The RST only detects group A streptococci, but does not, of itself, implicate a causative role in the patient's pharyngitis. Without clinical correlation based on the clinical findings of GAS pharyngitis a positive RST may mislead the unwary physician to unnecessarily treat colonization rather than infection. I report an interesting case of a young adult who presented to the ED with no fever and acute pharyngitis. His RST was positive, and he was treated with procaine penicillin and released. Three days later he was re-admitted to the hospital with severe Herpes gingivostomatitis.
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PMID:A positive rapid strep test in a young adult with acute pharyngitis: Be careful what you wish for! 2893 86