Abstract: Acute onset transient thrombocytopenia is a known complication of
infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein Barr virus infection. Infectious
mononucleosis presenting with severe thrombocytopenia resulting in life
threatening bleeding is rare, and may cause diagnostic confusion with more
sinister conditions like acute leukemia. We report one such case of severe
bleeding in association with Epstein Barr virus infection in a previously
healthy adolescent girl and discuss the possible mechanisms of thrombocytopenia
in infectious mononucleosis.