EBV is the first human tumour virus discovered and is strongly implicated in the etiology of multiple lymphoid and epithelial cancers, such as Burkitt lymphoma (BL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and gastric carcinoma (GC).

EBV is also the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis that could cause persistent fatigue for up to 6 months and cause severe neurologic, haematologic, or liver complications.

EBV has been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.

There are no vaccines or treatments against EBV infection.

EBV infections in children usually do not cause symptoms, or the symptoms are not distinguishable from other mild, brief childhood illnesses.

People who get symptoms from EBV infection, usually teenagers or adults, get better in two to four weeks, however fatigue can last longer.

Common symptoms include: fever, fatigue, inflamed throat, enlarged spleen, swollen liver, rash.