title: Infectious mononucleosis hepatitis; an unwelcome present for Father Christmas.
abstract: We describe a case of infectious mononucleosis (IM) hepatitis occurring in an elderly thespian, who had recently played the role of 'Father Christmas'. We discuss the importance of differing clinical manifestations in older and younger age groups, the changing epidemiology of Epstein Barr (EB) infection within the United Kingdom and the role of different virology tests in establishing a diagnosis. Raised awareness of this changing pattern of disease could prevent unnecessary investigation and consequent potential iatrogenic complications.
authors.affiliation: Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, UK. hyder.hussaini@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Syed H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hussaini
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pilkington
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom