Final answer:
Infectious mononucleosis is most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and secondarily by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and swollen glands. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and antibody detection tests such as the Sure-Vue Mono Test.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), causes infectious mononucleosis, commonly referred to as mono or the "kissing disease." This virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's saliva. Mononucleosis can also be caused by the cytomegalovirus (CMV), or human herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5), though this is less common.
Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis include fever, fatigue, swollen glands, and pharyngitis. Diagnosis is typically based on clinical signs and a blood test that detects antibodies. The Sure-Vue Mono Test is a common diagnostic tool used to test for heterophile antibodies associated with EBV infection. If symptoms and test results indicate mononucleosis, practitioners can be relatively confident in the diagnosis, but co-infection with other pathogens cannot be entirely excluded without further testing.