What is Epstein-Barr virus? Mark Cavendish ruled out for at least two weeks after suffering from disease

MARK CADENDISH has been ruled out for at least two weeks after picking up Epstein-Barr virus – but what is the disease which has affected other sports stars?

The 31-year-old last raced on March 18 which was the one-day race Milan-San Remo.

EPA

Cavendish is hopeful of recovering in time for the next Tour de France later this year.

What is Epstein-Barr virus?

The disease, nicknamed ‘mono’, is one of the most common human viruses.

Plenty of people get the disease without getting sick.

Epstein-Barr virus is also known as the ‘kissing disease’.

What are the symptoms?

• Fatigue
• Weakness and sore muscles
• Fever
• Inflamed throat
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Enlarged spleen
• Swollen liver
• Rash

EPA

How does it spread?

The virus is found in saliva and spreads mostly through bodily fluids.

Meaning it can be spread by kissing someone or also using an infected person’s toothbrush or drinking from the same glass or bottle as them.

It can also be transmitted through blood and semen – meaning it can be passed on during sex, a blood transfusion and an organ transplant.

How are you diagnosed?

As mentioned earlier, plenty of people get the virus and are not aware of it, meaning it can be difficult to diagnose.

It is because a lot of the signs, such as flu, a sore throat and fever are thought to be symptoms from other illnesses.

It’s been reported that nine out of ten of adults have antibodies that show that they have a current or past Epstein-Barr virus infection.

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Have any other athletes suffered from a similar virus?

Cyclist Ben Henderson also suffered from the disease and picked up the virus after he was bitten more than 50 times by mosquitoes whilst racing on Malaysian island Langkawi in 2011.

Whilst tennis stars Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Robin Soderling, Mario Ancic and John Isner have also suffered from mono.