Final answer:
Contact sports should be avoided in patients recovering from EBV due to the risk of spleen rupture, as infectious mononucleosis associated with EBV can cause spleen enlargement, making it vulnerable to injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contact sports should be avoided in patients recovering from EBV infection due to the risk of spleen rupture. When an individual contracts Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), they are at risk of developing infectious mononucleosis, which can result in the enlargement of the spleen. During this time, the spleen is more vulnerable to injury, and an impact from contact sports could potentially lead to a rupture, a serious medical emergency.
Moreover, the patient may experience extreme fatigue, which could worsen with physical exertion associated with such sports. Avoiding contact sports allows for safe recovery from the infection and reduces the risk of complications.