Mononucleosis ("monocytic tonsillitis") is a disease of an infectious nature, most often affecting children's organisms (in adults, the disease occurs only in 20% of cases). Due to the lack of characteristic signs, its diagnosis is significantly complicated, while getting infected with such an ailment is quite simple. Therefore, it is important to know what the symptoms of mononucleosis are, methods of treatment, opportunities to avoid negative consequences, as well as preventive measures to stay healthy.

Types of Mononucleosis

The causative agents of the disease are viruses belonging to the Herpesviridae family, one of which is the Epstein-Barr virus.
Mononucleosis is divided into the following types:

  • typical, accompanied by the main signs, - an increase in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, the appearance of atypical mononuclear cells in the blood, tonsillitis;
  • atypical, asymptomatic, having visceral and erased forms.

By the nature of the course, the disease is divided into the following types:

  • smooth;
  • uncomplicated;
  • complicated;
  • protracted.

The severity of the disease is classified into three degrees:

  • light
  • moderate;
  • heavy.

The latter is always visceral, and the mild - atypical forms of the disease.

Routes of infection and risk groups

Infectious mononucleosis received the second name - “kissing disease”. This is due to the fact that the most common method of infection is the penetration of the virus into the body through saliva.But there are other ways to transmit the disease:

  1. Airborne.
  2. Contact.
  3. Hemolytic.

The danger of pathology lies in the fact that infection is possible not only through contact with a patient with pronounced signs of mononucleosis, but also with a virus carrier.
Due to the characteristics of immunity, the disease is most characteristic of children. Every second child under the age of 5 is infected, although pathology develops only in 5% of cases. For adults, this disease is a fairly rare occurrence.

At risk are children under five years of age and adolescents. It is for these age periods that sharp changes in physiology are characteristic, the weakening of the immune system associated with them, as well as an increased number of tactile contacts. Boys are exposed to the disease 2 times more often than girls.

Symptoms and signs in children and adults

The incubation period of mononucleosis lasts up to 3 weeks, and the disease - up to 60 days. At various stages, the following signs of pathology may appear:

  1. Pain in the head and dizziness.
  2. General weakness.
  3. Joint and muscle pain.
  4. Intoxication.
  5. Temperature rise.
  6. Excessive sweating.
  7. Sore throat when swallowing.
  8. Cough.
  9. Education on the tonsils of a whitish plaque.
  10. Enlargement and soreness of all lymph nodes.
  11. Enlarged liver or spleen (possibly both organs simultaneously).

The appearance of these symptoms leads to increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and frequent skin lesions with herpes.

What diseases can be confused with mononucleosis

In many cases, an asymptomatic course is characteristic of such a pathology, and when symptoms appear, their manifestation is often confused with other diseases. These include:

  • HIV
  • angina;
  • viral hepatitis;
  • tularemia;
  • diphtheria;
  • pseudotuberculosis;
  • rubella;
  • listeriosis;
  • leukemia.

From the above features, it follows that it is impossible to make a diagnosis only on the basis of external signs without laboratory studies. This can lead to the appointment of improper treatment.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of the disease is not difficult. First of all, palpation of the lymph nodes is performed. Then, to confirm or exclude the diagnosis, laboratory tests are performed:

  1. General tests of urine and blood.
  2. Ultrasound of the liver and spleen.
  3. PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which allows the recognition of viral DNA in biological fluids.
  4. Serological diagnosis.
  5. Reactions of Paul - Bunnel - Davidson, Tomchik, Hoff - Baura.
  6. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

When the first signs of pathology appear, you should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment. With untimely diagnosis, the probability of the transition of the disease into chronic mononucleosis is high, in which the chance of recovery is significantly reduced.

Infectious and viral disease treatment

Special therapeutic methods against this disease do not exist. Mononucleosis is most often treated at home. In exceptional cases, in severe forms, accompanied by complications, hospitalization is required. Inpatient treatment is carried out with the following manifestations of the disease:

  1. Elevated temperature (from 39.5 °).
  2. Pronounced intoxication (migraines, fainting, vomiting, fever, etc.).
  3. Severe multiple inflammation of the lymph and glands with the threat of asphyxiation.
  4. The appearance of complications.

In the absence of the listed signs of a fairly strict bed rest and treatment at home.

In children

In the treatment of mononucleosis in children, the following methods of therapy are used:

  1. Symptomatic, reducing and stopping the symptoms of the disease.
  2. Local antiseptic, reducing the severity of inflammation in the nasopharynx.
  3. Pathogenetic, lowering the temperature.
  4. Desensitizing, reducing the allergic reaction to the virus and toxins.
  5. Immunomodulating, immunostimulating.
  6. Restorative.
  7. Antiviral.
  8. Antibacterial (with concomitant infection of a bacterial nature).
  9. Supportive therapy for damage to the liver and spleen.
  10. Antitoxic with the manifestation of signs of intoxication.

In rare cases (with rupture of the spleen or with swelling of the larynx, which makes breathing difficult), surgical intervention is required.

In adults

Viral mononucleosis in adults is treated according to an individual scheme for each patient. Antibiotics are not prescribed due to the viral etiology of the pathology, but homeopathic and immunostimulating drugs are used:

  • Lymphomyozot;
  • Arbidol;
  • Groprinosin.

To eliminate the symptoms are recommended:

  • antipyretic drugs;
  • antihistamines;
  • local antiseptics (rinse);
  • anti-inflammatory drugs.

In severe cases, corticosteroid hormones are prescribed. With an ailment accompanied by bacterial infection, antimicrobial medications.
It should be remembered that only a doctor can diagnose the disease and prescribe therapeutic measures. Self-medication can lead to disastrous consequences.

Diet for mononucleosis

Particular attention in mononucleosis is given to proper nutrition. It should be fractional (4-5 times a day), dietary and complete. The diet should include:

  1. Milk products.
  2. Dishes from meat, fish, poultry of low-fat varieties.
  3. Whole grain breads.
  4. Vegetable soups and other dishes based on such components.
  5. Weak meat broths.
  6. Porridge.
  7. Drink plenty.
  8. Berries and fruits.

It is strictly forbidden to eat sharp, fried, salted, smoked, pickled products, canned food, mushrooms, as well as high-fat ingredients.

Forecast and consequences

After the correct and timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable. After 2-4 weeks, recovery begins. Having overcome mononucleosis once, a person gains a lifelong immunity to the disease. But at the same time, he remains a carrier of the virus, since treatment does not eliminate the causative agent of the disease, but only suppresses its activity. In most cases, the pathology leaves no traces, but with untimely or incorrect therapy, serious negative consequences are likely:

  • meningoencephalitis;
  • streptococcal and staphylococcal throat infections;
  • hypoxia;
  • paralysis of facial muscles, cranial nerves;
  • lung infiltration;
  • bronchial obstruction;
  • thrombocytopenia;
  • hepatitis;
  • rupture of the spleen.

Complications of mononucleosis in the form of encephalitis, asphyxia, or rupture of the spleen can cause death. But the appearance of these pathologies accounts for less than 1% of all cases of the disease.

Prevention

There are no specific preventive measures against the disease. To protect against infection, you must adhere to the following rules:

  1. Minimize contact with the patient.
  2. Observe personal hygiene.
  3. After contact with the patient for 2-3 months, closely monitor your health.
  4. If signs of the disease appear, seek medical attention immediately.
  5. Strengthen measures to strengthen the immune system.
  6. Increase the number of fruits and vegetables in the daily menu.
  7. Increase the duration of outdoor activities.

If the disease still catches up, you should not despair. Mononucleosis is not a sentence and can be safely treated with the right approach. But despite the fact that in most cases a full recovery occurs within a month, the patient needs regular consultations with an infectious disease specialist within a year after the illness.

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