What kind of disease is mononucleosis? Symptoms of the disease are of interest to many. Glandular fever, monocytic tonsillitis, Filatov’s disease ... These are all the names of viral mononucleosis. The disease is most often affected by children under the age of ten. Medical statistics indicate that boys are sick twice as often as girls. The causative agent of the disease is the herpetic Epstein-Barr virus. It affects the liver, spleen and lymphatic system.
General information
Viral mononucleosis was isolated into a separate disease a little over a century ago, when all its symptoms were identified. But the causative agent of the disease was determined only in the middle of the last century, so the disease is not well understood. Because of this, only symptomatic treatment is carried out. Atypical mononucleosis is often observed, proceeding with mild symptoms or in its complete absence. It is detected in the diagnosis of other diseases or antibodies are simply detected in the blood of an adult. Another manifestation of the disease is pronounced symptoms. Mononucleosis can be infected in the following ways:
- through saliva - during a kiss or using common dishes;
- airborne;
- general use of personal hygiene items;
- with blood transfusion.
The disease causes epidemics in children and adolescent schools. The incubation period of mononucleosis in children lasts from seven days to three weeks, but in some cases, symptoms begin to appear three days after contact with the carrier of the virus. The severity of the disease and its duration depends on age, immunity and adverse infections. The virus in a sick person remains in the body for life. Antibodies produced by the immune system prevent acute reinfection.
Symptoms of the disease
For mononucleosis, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- After the incubation period of mononucleosis is completed, a white coating appears on the walls of the larynx, palatine tonsils and tongue. There is no severe pain or difficulty swallowing.
- Body temperature can rise up to 40 degrees. It is unstable, and during the day its values change significantly.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes. Most often, they increase on the back of the neck, this becomes noticeable when turning the head. A feature of the disease is that the lymph nodes are necessarily inflamed on both sides, and at the same time, pain is not felt, although they are well palpated.
- Difficulty breathing. Due to the increase in the size of the lymphoid ring of the oropharynx, the lower nasal passages overlap, it becomes difficult to breathe, but there is no runny nose.
- Enlarged liver and spleen.
- The appearance of a rash. It can occur anywhere in the body without causing itching.
Most of the symptoms are similar to signs of other diseases, so sometimes, before conducting a blood test, the diagnosis is made incorrectly. As a result, antibiotics are prescribed, although the ailment is viral in nature.
Diagnosis of the disease
The following measures are taken to diagnose mononucleosis:
- A survey of the parents of a sick child. Complaints, symptoms and the time of their appearance are identified.
- Examination of the patient. The doctor examines the oral cavity, draws attention to the increase in lymph nodes, produces palpation of the liver and spleen.
- An ultrasound of the internal organs is prescribed to determine their condition.
- General and biochemical analysis of blood. An increased number of leukocytes and an increased ESR are detected.
- Blood test for antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus. When infected in the blood, an increased concentration of atypical mononuclear cells is detected. They are not detected immediately, but after the incubation period of infectious mononucleosis in children. The analysis is repeated several times.
After conducting research, a final diagnosis is made.
Treatment. Pathology development periods
Epstein-Barr virus is herpetic, so it is impossible to completely cure it. Antiviral drugs are used only to alleviate the condition. The patient receives treatment at home, only in severe cases, when a very high temperature rises and various complications arise, he is hospitalized.
The development of the disease goes through several stages, which are characterized by special signs:
- The incubation period of mononucleosis. In adults, it ranges from several days to three weeks. At this time, the patient feels general weakness, malaise, a slight increase in temperature, catarrhal manifestations.
- The onset of the disease. It lasts up to five days. It can begin very acutely with a high rise in temperature up to 40 degrees, headache, nausea, aching in muscles and joints. Or proceed with mild symptoms of a cold.
- The height of the disease. It is characterized by the appearance of minor sore throats and the formation of white plaque, fever, enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes, sometimes skin rashes that pass themselves. On the ninth day after the incubation period of mononucleosis, the spleen and then the liver increase, which can cause yellowing of the skin and darkening of the urine.
- Recovery period. Compared with other stages of the disease, it is much longer and up to four weeks. During the recovery period, the state of the tonsils is normalized, the size of the spleen and liver are restored, blood counts are normalized, but severe fatigue and drowsiness are observed.
After the disease, the body is weakened, and it is necessary to carefully monitor its condition so as not to miss the development of a secondary infection.
Mononucleosis in adults
The causative agent of mononucleosis for years may be present in the body of the individual and not manifest itself in any way. It is activated when immunity is reduced. The source of the disease is a sick person or a carrier of the virus. Usually infectious mononucleosis affects children and adolescents, but adults also have a risk of contracting infection. The latent period lasts up to three weeks. The most active virus isolation occurs at the end of the incubation period. An adult can become infected by kissing, coughing and sneezing of a sick person, through common hygiene items, dishes, blood transfusions, and sexual contact. The main reasons contributing to the development of the disease is a weakening of the immune system, overloading the physical and emotional plan, severe stress, and non-compliance with hygiene rules. It must be remembered that a person who has undergone mononucleosis within eighteen months releases a virus with saliva.
Adult Treatment
Treatment and symptoms of mononucleosis in adults (a photo of the manifestations of the disease presented in the article) are interrelated.
With an increase in temperature, antipyretics are prescribed, antiseptics are used to treat the throat for resorption and rinsing, the liver is normalized with choleretic drugs, hepatoprotectors. To maintain the body, immunomodulators and vitamin preparations are used. If bacterial complications occur, probiotics are prescribed, and when asphyxia occurs, hormonal drugs are prescribed. In case of rupture of the spleen, surgery is urgently performed.
Use for the treatment of folk remedies
In addition to drug treatment of infectious mononucleosis, the incubation period of which sometimes takes a fairly long period, and the patient’s well-being gradually begins to deteriorate, traditional medicine recipes are used:
- Buckthorn bark, elderberry, St. John's wort, immortelle and knotweed. Three tablespoons of crushed dry raw material is poured into 750 ml of boiling water and a decoction is prepared. To increase immunity, take ¾ cup a quarter of an hour before meals.
- Echinacea. The infusion, prepared from two teaspoons of the plant, taken in half a liter of water, has an antiviral and antimicrobial effect.
- Calamus root. A decoction of crushed raw materials helps restore difficulty breathing. To prepare, a teaspoon of the root is poured into a glass of water, taken before each meal in half a glass.
- Flowers of calendula, chamomile, string, coltsfoot, yarrow. Grind the grass in equal proportions, take two tablespoons and pour a liter of boiling water. Insist and drink half a glass before meals. The infusion has an antimicrobial effect.
It should be remembered that the disease cannot be cured by folk remedies alone.
Drug therapy
In children, the treatment of symptoms of mononucleosis and alleviation of the condition is carried out using the following medications:
- "Ibuprofen", "Nurofen", "Paracetamol" - to relieve heat.
- "Kameton", "IRS-19", "Ingalipt" - to eliminate the symptoms of tonsillitis and white plaque in the throat. For the same purpose, various rinses with saline, chamomile extract, and “Furacilin” are used.
- "Anaferon", "Viferon", "Imudon", vitamins P, B, C - will help strengthen immunity and restore health faster.
- In severe cases, a course of Prednisone is prescribed.
- Antibiotics are prescribed when a secondary bacterial infection is attached.
There is no specific therapy for infectious mononucleosis, the incubation period of which can last up to three weeks. The treatment is aimed at eliminating the symptoms.
Recovery period
The duration of the recovery period depends on the severity of the disease. To speed up the process, it is necessary to introduce food rich in vitamins and minerals into the diet, give vitamin complexes. Parents need to monitor the temperature, it should be within normal limits. In case of deviations, it is recommended to consult a doctor. It is important not to overload the child mentally and physically. Provide him with regular walks in the fresh air.
Special diet for the patient
For quick recovery after an illness, proper nutrition is necessary. In connection with liver damage with mononucleosis, a patient is prescribed a sparing diet. It should be followed for six months. The diet should include light and vitamin-rich foods. Increase the use of lean fish and meat, dairy products, various cereals, vegetables and fresh fruits. You should not eat fatty, smoked, fried and sweet foods. Limit the intake of vegetable and butter, sour cream and cheeses. The use of beans, peas, garlic and onions is completely contraindicated. Following a strict diet will ensure the normal functioning of the liver and accelerate the recovery process.
The consequences of infectious mononucleosis
After the incubation period of mononucleosis, the disease itself occurs, which sometimes proceeds very seriously and has very unpleasant consequences. The most likely of which is:
- tonsillitis;
- pneumonia;
- otitis;
- meningitis;
- myocarditis;
- anemia;
- rupture of the spleen (very rare, bleeding may occur and then an emergency operation will be required).
To prevent complications, you should seek medical help on time, follow all the instructions of your doctor, observe the regime and constantly monitor your health, strengthen immunity.
Disease prevention
The incubation period of mononucleosis takes from several days to three weeks, the virus enters the body, including by airborne droplets, so it is difficult to protect yourself from it. However, compliance with basic measures will help to reduce the risk of infection. To do this, you must:
- wash your hands thoroughly and often;
- Do not use other people's hygiene products and utensils;
- Do not eat food after others;
- have a permanent partner for sex;
- more often to be in the fresh air;
- engage in hardening and sports;
- take vitamin complexes.
All of the above preventive measures will help protect yourself from the disease. For the prevention of infectious mononucleosis, as well as other viral diseases, you need a healthy full sleep, feasible mental and physical activity, fresh air, proper nutrition, rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals, as well as timely treatment for SARS.