Mononucleosis is a viral disease. Statistics show that more often the virus occurs in childhood. The blame for the weakened immune system. Reactivation of the infection occurs in a child under five years of age and in the puberty period.
Transfer is carried out:
- airborne droplets;
- in direct contact with a sick person;
- from mother to baby (in utero);
- with blood transfusion.
With symptoms of mononucleosis in children, a blood test is a prerequisite.
Indicators
When performing a general blood test for mononucleosis in children, physiological and pathological factors that occur due to the development of the disease can be diagnosed. Indicators in the analysis will report on the functioning of the hematopoietic system. She takes an active part in the protective functions and types of metabolism.
When the virus is detected, there are manifestations of tonsillitis, lymph nodes are enlarged, growth of the liver and spleen, fever. Blood counts for mononucleosis in children can determine any other type of disease.
They are:
- Epstein-Barr virus (infection caused by gamma herpes virus);
- DNA-containing cytomegalovirus;
- unspecified type of infection (B27.9).
Quantitative and qualitative indicators of blood tests in children with infectious mononucleosis in the peripheral system will show:
- increased ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the blood);
- moderate leukocytosis (increased white blood cell count);
- leukopenia (a decrease in white blood cells per unit volume of blood).
At an early stage, T cells and B lymphocytes appear. They contain atypical mononuclear cells and immunoglobulin in the cytoplasm. The quantitative presence of white cells similar to monocytes is approximately 5% to 50%. The number of lymphocytes will also be increased. With an exacerbation of the disease, antibodies of immunoglobulin M, G can be detected.
Changes will also be revealed.
In a general blood test:
- the level of atypical cells - mononuclear cells - will exceed 10%;
- monocyte counts will be more than 40%;
- the level of lymphocytes in the blood will also be increased - over 10%;
- the total number of monocytes and lymphocytes will be 80-90% of the total number of leukocytes;
- neutrophilic cells with a C-shaped nucleus will be more than 6%;
- if there are consequences, then erythrocyte counts will be within 2.8 × 1012 per liter, and platelet counts will be less than 150 × 109 per liter.
Decoding of a blood test for mononucleosis in children (biochemistry):
- indicators of aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase will be exceeded by 2-3 times;
- alkaline phosphatase will be more than 90 units per liter;
- an increase in indirect bilirubin occurs to 0, 005 (and above) mmol / l;
- an increase in direct bilirubin will be above 0,0154 mmol / L.
Diagnosis
There are clinical signs of the disease that confirm the pathology with the help of symptoms. Although the main diagnostic value is a blood test that detects antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus. A history of specific antibodies will be indicated. That is, the doctor determines the signs of mononucleosis in children by a blood test.
Instrumental tests are important for therapy. They determine the exact condition of the patient. These types of research include:
- clinical blood test for mononucleosis in children;
- biochemical;
- ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
The effectiveness of therapy is manifested in practice when conducting proper diagnosis. You should evaluate the hemoglobin content in the blood system and consider the leukogram.
An ultrasound examination will clearly show whether the spleen and liver have enlarged.
Infection pathways
You can get infected by direct contact. People who have pronounced symptoms or do not have one become a source of infection.
Contacting occurs with the help of particles of saliva. In children, this is the most likely infection. In boys, the disease often develops during periods of reactivation of the disease. Especially need to be wary of exacerbation in the cool season, when the immune system is weakened and more contact with people indoors. To do this, in kindergartens and schools should constantly ventilate the rooms and carry out disinfection. In other words, the virus is not stable and dies when it dries. Therefore, you need to deal with it, using ultraviolet rays and constant processing of the room, where there are many children.
If infection has occurred, treatment should be started immediately. A full course of taking medications should be taken, otherwise relapses may occur, since the immune system is less active during therapy. Or exacerbated by chronic diseases that are not cured.
Attention is paid to the condition of the lymph nodes and nasopharynx. You should adhere to a healthy lifestyle, constantly rest when fatigue occurs and prevent immunodeficiency.
Symptoms
Individual symptoms that often appear with the disease may be mild or pronounced. Their manifestation depends on the protective forces of the whole organism, the course of the disease, the pathological condition of the patient. Perhaps a wavy course of the disease.
The period from the moment a microbial agent enters the body and until the onset of symptoms of the disease takes about 3 weeks. The incubation period is:
- Gradually, when the general state of health becomes worse, it is difficult to breathe due to nasopharyngeal congestion, for a long time the temperature is 37-38 degrees.
- Acute when severe perspiration prevails. It breaks the whole body and muscles, the complex indicator of the thermal state of an adult or child rises and falls sharply. Such temperature drops from 35 to 39 degrees last about 30 days.
Severe symptoms are observed with an increase in the lymph nodes located on the neck, jaw, neck. If pain is felt when pressing on these parts of the body, you should immediately resort to therapy to prevent the increase in nodes.
Additional signs
Other symptoms should not be ignored:
- Redness inside the oral cavity, reactive hyperplastic changes in the lymph nodes.
- An increase in abdominal organs (unlikely in children).
- Mononucleous pathological elements on the skin and mucous membranes.
The rash appears on the third day, sometimes on the fifth sick day. It looks like pigment spots with a variable color of approximately pink or burgundy. Elements are located throughout the body from the face to the lower extremities. Basically, they are not treated and do not use medication. The rash on its own will disappear without side effects and itching.
Possible pathologies
To exacerbation of the disease can bring other conditions of the body, expressed in violation of its normal functioning. Against the background of mononucleosis, the following develop:
- multiple inflammation of the lymph and glands (polyadenitis);
- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx with infection (nasopharyngitis);
- upper respiratory tract disease characterized by a prolonged inflammatory process of the tonsils (tonsillitis);
- a disease of the respiratory system, in which the bronchi (bronchitis) are involved in the inflammatory process;
- painful process of the mucous membrane of the trachea (tracheitis);
- violation of the correct activity of the body, characterized by a histological picture of pulmonary fibrosis (interstitial pneumonia);
- sharp inhibition or cessation of growth and maturation of all three cell lines in the bone marrow of the hematopoietic system (aplastic anemia).
Do not allow the progression of these diseases. Since the disease is observed in adults and children, the immune system responds individually, the symptoms are different, then the diagnosis is problematic.
Sometimes such manifestations as nausea, dizziness, pain in the abdominal cavity and general malaise are observed. With improper treatment, a chronic duration of mononucleosis is observed.
Treatment
After diagnosis, therapeutic treatment begins. Although mononucleosis is not subject to antiviral therapy, the actions of the drugs will mainly be supportive in nature.
If the child has discovered and confirmed this disease, then the use of antipyretic medicines that negatively affect the liver is excluded, since it can be increased during treatment.
Supportive therapy will take place at home or in the hospital for complications. At home, the room should be constantly ventilated and disinfected, follow the doctor’s instructions.
If the patient has the following symptoms, then urgent inpatient care is needed:
- the temperature rises above 39 degrees;
- multiple inflammation of the lymph and glands with the threat of severe respiratory distress due to a lack of oxygen;
- intoxication of the body;
- fainting
- severe migraine.
The doctor will be sure to monitor the effectiveness of therapy. The treatment is aimed at:
- decrease in manifestation and decrease in symptoms;
- decrease in overheating and the accumulation of excess heat in the body;
- disposal of toxins and intoxication;
- reduction of inflammatory processes in the mouth and nasal cavity;
- enrichment of the body with vitamins;
- the use of immunomodulatory drugs;
- dieting.
Strict compliance with bed rest at home is also prescribed.
Nutrition
Special attention is always paid to nutrition. It must be complete. Exclude fried foods or excess fat. The exceptions are butter, salted and hot canned food.
You should consume more dairy products or milk-containing products. Inorganic will be large-grain cereals, soups on low-fat broth with vegetables.
The consequences of mononucleosis in children
Children's immunity is always affected by various pathogens due to the fact that it is not formed. It is more difficult for him to resist the disease.
Complications can be caused by a bacterial infection. Microorganisms accumulate in the oral and nasal cavities. A severe form of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx is not excluded.
If there was a strong increase in the spleen and liver, then icteric syndrome or rupture of the organ that produces blood balls is possible.
Less common are diseases associated with the respiratory tract, such as otitis media, tonsillitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
The general condition of the body may be weak for a long time after recovery. Drowsiness, fatigue, desire to rest are observed.
Conclusion
In order to prevent the occurrence of mononucleosis, an annual examination by a pediatrician should be taken and a detailed blood test should be taken.
In case of detection of characteristic symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner to conduct an examination and prescribe effective treatment.