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Can Epstein -Barr Virus Infection Lead To Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Posted on Tue, 4 Nov 2014

Question: My 7 year old son has mono. My 3 year old most probably as well, because they play together and my son has been sneezing on her when we were unaware that he had the epstein-barr virus. What are the chances they will develop lymphoma from this? And when will lymphoma manifest itself?

Answered by Dr. Suresh K Yadav (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
appx 4 times more than gen population, period 4 yr

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX , I'm Dr Suresh K Yadav M.D (paediatrics) , I have gone through your question and understand your concerns .

1. In population endemics for Epstein -Barr virus , infection (EBV) with this virus occurs usually to all.

2. In gen population incidence of incidence of Hodgkin Lymphoma is approximately 2-4 new cases/100,000 population/year. Infection with Epstein -Barr virus infection increases this risk to nearly 4 fold , mean time form infection to development of lymphoma is 4.1 years .

3. Regarding development of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma , Most children in whom Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma develops have no obvious genetic or environmental aetiology but it is also increased and is major risk for a particular type Endemic (African) Burkitt lymphoma in XXXXXXX and New Guinea .

Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Suresh K Yadav (19 hours later)

Could I have given this to my children? I had mono over 15 year ago. We were on vacation in Florida, so it was very hot and humid. My son could have drank after me at some point. Is it possible? Is it probable that if he drank after me he got mono? I can hardly function thinking that it was me who might have infected my children. It was about three weeks after we came back that he started with fever and fatique. Could he have gotten it from school instead? Please your thoughts.

Answered by Dr. Suresh K Yadav (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Difficult to say

Detailed Answer:
Hi , I understand your concern but it is very difficult to comment about source of infection as virus is present everywhere and practically it is not possible to prevent its infection. Chances of getting infected from you are less as chronic carriers shred the virus intermittently only , but practically it an assumed guess only unless there is history of contact with someone having recent disease. I do not see any reason to blame yourself for an infection which is present ubiquitously.

Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Suresh K Yadav (2 hours later)

Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX K XXXXXXX

I appreciate you answering. You have helped a great deal. I will try to get some peace about this. Thank you again.

Best Regards,

A. Buyea

Answered by Dr. Suresh K Yadav (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation. You may close query and rate answer if no more questions.
Take care.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D