The term "mononucleosis-like syndrome" refers to a complex of symptoms characteristic of certain diseases. It accompanies the course of pathologies of both infectious and non-infectious nature. This greatly complicates the differential diagnosis. Treatment of mononucleosis syndrome in adults and children depends on the cause of the complex of signs. As a rule, it is symptomatic.
Causes
Mononucleosis-like syndrome is not an independent disease. This is a whole complex of symptoms characteristic of certain ailments.
Diseases, the debut of which is accompanied by the appearance of a mononucleosis-like syndrome:
- Herpes virus infection.
- HIV
- Infectious mononucleosis. The symptom complex is characteristic of a pathology caused by both the cytomegalovirus and the active life of the Epstein-Barr virus.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- Chlamydia
- Adenovirus infection.
- Mycoplasmosis
- Tularemia. Mononucleosis-like syndrome occurs only in individuals suffering from angina-bubonic form.
- Listeriosis. The symptom complex is characteristic of the angina-septic form.
- Brucellosis.
- Pseudotuberculosis.
- Lymphoblastic leukemia in acute form.
- Lymphogranulomatosis.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
The list contains pathologies that are most often diagnosed. Diseases, for the course of which the occurrence of a mononucleosis-like syndrome is characteristic, are much greater. That is why differential diagnosis is significantly complicated, it requires a comprehensive examination, which often takes a long time. But the cause of the mononucleosis syndrome can only be determined by a doctor, self-medication is unacceptable.
Clinical manifestations
As mentioned above, this syndrome is a whole complex of alarming signs. It includes the following symptoms:
- Fever (temperature 39 in both an adult and a child persists for 1-3 weeks).
- Sore throat. Examination of the oral cavity reveals signs of pharyngitis or tonsillitis. On average, they last from 2 to 3 weeks.
- Polyadenitis. This is a condition in which there is an increase in the size of 2 or more groups of lymph nodes. The latter on palpation are moderately painful, mobile, are not fused between themselves and nearby tissues.
- Hepatosplenomegaly. This term refers to the simultaneous increase in size of the spleen and liver.
- Candida stomatitis.
- Frequent episodes of headache.
- Nausea, often turning into vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Painful abdominal sensations.
- Constant feeling of tiredness.
- Pain in the muscles and joints.
- Weight loss.
- Sopor.
- Excessive perspiration at night.
- Cough.
- Erythematous rash. It is symmetrical, the spots resemble those that arise with syphilis and measles. As a rule, the rash is localized on the body, its individual elements can be seen on the neck and face. The spots remain on the skin from 3 days to 3 weeks.
- Hemorrhagic rash. Often, its appearance is combined with damage to the mucous membrane of the mouth, larynx and esophagus.
This set of symptoms can last up to 3 weeks. In HIV, the mononucleosis-like syndrome is the result of an active immune response of the body. Therefore, it lasts longer (on average, up to 6 weeks).
Features of the course in children
In babies, the syndrome manifests itself very weakly. In this regard, an erroneous diagnosis is often made - SARS. The main distinguishing feature is the appearance of a rash in children.
Mononucleosis-like syndrome in older children (6-15 years old) is manifested much brighter. Children complain of a severe headache, they are constantly worried about fatigue, even for no apparent reason. They are irritable, their psycho-emotional background is unstable.
In general, the symptoms of mononucleosis-like syndrome are the same in both adults and children.
Diagnostics
If the first alarming signs appear, consult a physician. This is a general practitioner who will draw up a referral for a comprehensive examination, based on the results of which he will draw up a treatment regimen or refer him to a consultation with narrow doctors.
The primary diagnosis of a mononucleosis-like syndrome is to collect an anamnesis, conduct a physical examination and palpation. The physician must provide information on all available symptoms and their intensity. It is also important to voice how long they appeared.
As a rule, patients complain to the doctor that almost every organ hurts, and therefore their quality of life is significantly impaired. Diagnosis involves a comprehensive examination, including:
- Blood tests (clinical, biochemical, C-reactive protein).
- Urinalysis (general).
- X-ray of the joints.
- Nuclear magnetic resonance.
- CT and chest x-ray.
- Angiography.
- Echocardiography.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
Diagnosis of a mononucleosis-like syndrome and the disease that it accompanies takes a very long time. This is due to the need to differentiate the disease from a large number of pathologies, especially those that have a systemic or autoimmune nature.
Treatment
The treatment regimen depends on the underlying disease. Treatment options depending on the root cause are described in the table below.
| Disease | Therapy regimen |
| Herpesvirus infection | Reception of antiviral and immunostimulating agents |
| HIV | Intravenous administration and oral administration of drugs with antiretroviral action, as well as medications whose active components help strengthen the body's defenses |
| Infectious mononucleosis | Reception of antiviral and antibacterial agents, as well as corticosteroids. If necessary, symptomatic therapy |
| Toxoplasmosis | Taking antibiotics |
| Chlamydia | Oral use of antibacterial and immunostimulating agents, vitamin therapy |
| Adenovirus infection | Acceptance of antibiotics and complexes that enhance the body's defenses |
| Mycoplasmosis | The use of antibacterial drugs and immunomodulators, local treatment of lesions |
| Tularemia | Antibiotic and vaccine therapy, symptomatic treatment |
| Listeriosis | Administration and oral administration of antibacterial agents |
| Brucellosis | Taking antibiotics, antihistamines and sedatives, as well as vitamins and glucocorticosteroids |
| Pseudotuberculosis | The use of antibacterial agents, intravenous glucose solution |
| Lymphoblastic leukemia | Chemotherapy and supportive care |
| Lymphogranulomatosis | Radiation and chemotherapy, transplantation of donor bone marrow |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus | Taking glucocorticosteroids and immunomodulators |
As a rule, the symptom complex disappears on its own after a successful treatment of the underlying disease. If necessary, NSAIDs, painkillers, sedatives, antitussives, etc. are prescribed.
Recommendations of specialists
Doctors say that self-medication is unacceptable. Experts do not recommend taking any folk remedies, since against the background of their use, the clinical picture may be distorted, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.
It is important to know that the cause of a mononucleosis-like syndrome can be a dangerous disease. Self-medication or ignoring alarm signs can be fatal.
Prevention
There are no specific measures against the development of the symptom complex. The main task of everyone is to prevent the occurrence of pathologies, the course of which accompanies the syndrome. To do this, you must follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle and treat all identified diseases in a timely manner.
Finally
Mononucleosis-like syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms that is characteristic of the debut of a large number of ailments. In this regard, if the first alarming signs occur, you must consult a doctor.