Your doctor can find the virus by testing your blood for antibodies, but the virus usually remains dormant. The virus remains behind in your immune cells and tissue. Once you contract EBV, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. About 1 in 4 teens and young adults who contract EBV for the first time will go on to develop infectious mononucleosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
High school and college students are most likely to contract EBV and subsequently develop mono. Many people will never experience any symptoms. EBV spreads from person to person through saliva - which is why mono is often called the “kissing disease” - and other body fluids.ĮBV is so common that most people will contract the virus at some time in their lives. Most cases of mono result from an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
