Which symptoms are characteristic of infectious mononucleosis?

Infectious mononucleosis, often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, is characterized by specific symptoms that help in its diagnosis. A prominent feature of this condition is the presence of fever and cervical adenopathy. Fever typically presents as a persistent low-grade to moderate fever, while cervical adenopathy involves swollen lymph nodes in the neck, which can be quite pronounced and tender.

Infectious mononucleosis may also present with a sore throat, fatigue, and sometimes splenomegaly, but the combination of fever and lymphadenopathy is particularly indicative. This symptom set aligns closely with the expected clinical presentation and can be used to differentiate infectious mononucleosis from other conditions with overlapping symptoms.

Considering the other options, while some may present symptoms that could be seen in other viral illnesses or conditions, they do not specifically align with the classic signs of infectious mononucleosis. For example, palpitations and headaches suggest other concerns not typical of mononucleosis, difficulty breathing and coughing relate more to respiratory conditions, and sore throat with no symptoms lacks the accompanying features necessary for diagnosis.