Epstein-Barr virus: What is the disease forcing Mark Cavendish to halt his cycling career?

Cyclist Mark Cavendish has announced he is to take an indefinite break from the sport after being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

“This season I’ve not felt physically myself and despite showing good numbers on the bike I have felt that there’s been something not right”, he said in a statement.

“Given this and on the back of these medical results, I’m glad to now finally have some clarity as to why I haven’t been able to perform at my optimum level during this time.”

READ MORE: Cavendish to take break from cycling due to virus

What is the virus?

A relatively common affliction it takes the form of glandular fever or infectious mononucleosis.

Also called human herpesvirus 4, "mono" or more colloquially “the kissing disease”, it can contaminate the sufferer’s saliva and be transmitted by physical contact, shared food, blood transfusions or organ transplants. It is common among teenagers.

What are the symptoms?

Targeting the white blood cells that work to protect the body from infections and other cells lining the mouth tongue and nose, its symptoms include a sore throat, swollen tonsils or lymph nodes in the neck.

Some cases also include an enlarged spleen, posing a risk of rupture. In rare cases, neurological complications can develop.

Those who contract it can suffer a loss of appetite, fatigue, chills, sweating headaches, aching muscles and dizziness. Occasionally patients also experience rashes, exacerbated in some instances by their suffering an adverse reaction to antibiotics.

How dangerous is it?

After EBV has been transmitted, it can take four to six weeks for such symptoms to manifest and, in the majority of instances, they are only mild.

But the virus can linger in the body and become reactivated. It has also been suggested as a possible trigger for multiple sclerosis and been linked to lymphoma of the brain.

The contagion takes its name from Sir Michael Anthony Epstein and Yvonne Barr who first discovered it a Burkitt lymphoma cell line in 1964,

As many as 95 per cent of all adults will be exposed to it in their lifetime, although few experience an outbreak of symptoms or ill health as a result, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.