Table 2.
Common characteristics of infectious mononucleosis in elderly patients in comparison to younger patients.
| Symptoms and signs |
| Jaundice |
| Prolonged fevers |
| Hepatosplenomegaly |
| Generalized lymphadenopathy |
| Rashes |
| Rarely neurological symptoms |
| Laboratory tests |
| Lack of lymphocytosis |
| Heterophile-negative antibody test (increases with age) |
| Significant hyperbilirubinemia |
| Elevation in liver function tests |
| Positive EBV serology |
| Outcome |
| Protracted duration of illness |
| Prolonged hospitalizations |
| Common workup |
| Blood tests including serologies |
| Lymph nodes/liver biopsies |
| Bone marrow aspiration and biopsies |
| Imaging studies including MRI/CT scans |
| Bronchoscopies |
| ERCP |