Also called Filatov’s disease, mononucleosis is considered one of the common viral diseases. This ailment is accompanied by a number of typical symptoms, which, however, are characteristic of other diseases. Is mononucleosis dangerous in adults and is the disease amenable to therapy?
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Types of mononucleosis in adults
There are several types of mononucleosis, depending on such factors:
- type: typical, atypical;
- severity: light, moderate and heavy;
- features of the course: smooth / non-smooth (with relapses, complications, exacerbations);
- Duration: acute, protracted, chronic.
Typical mononucleosis is manifested by characteristic symptoms, atypical can be asymptomatic. Separately, doctors isolate mononucleosis in immunodeficiency and in HIV patients.
Acute mononucleosis lasts up to 3 months, protracted - 3-6 months. Chronic mononucleosis can last more than six months.
Routes of infection and risk groups
Mononucleosis is a pathology transmitted to a healthy person from a sick person.
The following infection methods are distinguished:
- domestic;
- protein (through the blood);
- contact;
- airborne droplet;
- vertical (from mother to baby).
Often, mononucleosis develops in adolescence, however, adults can also be affected. The risk group consists of people predisposed to the Epstein-Barr virus, as well as those with weakened immunity, in particular, as a result of the development of HIV infection.People with good immunity are not very susceptible to this disease, however, it is not worthwhile to discount the risk of infection.
Symptoms and signs
If the disease develops slowly, mild signs of mononucleosis are monitored in patients:
- enlarged tonsils;
- headache;
- hyperthermia (up to 38 C);
- drowsiness;
- weakness, fatigue;
- redness of the mucous membranes;
- runny nose.
With an acute onset of the disease, specific symptoms of the disease are distinguished:
- sharp jumps in temperature (up to 40 C);
- nausea;
- chills;
- joint aches, muscle pain;
- sore throat when swallowing;
- severe headaches.
With the development of the disease, the following symptoms appear:
- loss of appetite;
- purulent plaque on the pharyngeal mucosa;
- difficulty in nasal breathing;
- intoxication;
- monocytic tonsillitis (characterized by inflammation in the lymph nodes).
After the initial acute stage, the patient notes improvement in well-being, normalization of body temperature parameters, and the disappearance of symptoms typical of the pathology. It should be noted that such a period does not at all indicate the patient's recovery. On the contrary, it is early, not immediately monitored mononucleosis in adults that is often transformed into chronic.
What diseases can be confused with mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is subject to differentiation with the following diseases:
- rubella;
- pseudotuberculosis;
- oropharyngeal diphtheria;
- toxoplasmosis;
- ornithosis;
- chlamydial pneumonia;
- viral hepatitis.
And also the symptoms of Filatov’s disease are similar to the primary manifestations of HIV infection.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis of mononucleosis can be difficult due to the distortion of the clinical picture of the disease. This is especially characteristic of an atypical, erased form of the disease.
For a more accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to carry out a number of medical measures:
- Inspection by a specialist, history taking.
- A blood test for the presence of antibodies to the causative agent of the disease - Epstein-Barr virus.
- Clinical blood test. In Filatov’s disease, an increase in ESR and red blood cell leukocytes is monitored.
- Biochemical analysis. Pathology is indicated by traces of atypical mononuclear cells, damage to liver cells, etc.
Additionally, the patient is prescribed an ultrasound of the peritoneal organs, which allows to determine the condition of the liver and spleen.
Infectious and viral disease treatment
The treatment of mononucleosis cannot take place according to a single scheme. The treatment plan is developed taking into account the characteristics of the course of the disease in each patient. The viral nature of the disease precludes the possibility of taking antibiotics. Instead, it is recommended to take immunostimulants: Lymphomyozot, Arbidol, etc.
Additionally, symptomatic treatment can be carried out in the form of taking the following varieties of the drug:
- antipyretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antihistamines.
In especially severe cases, corticosteroids are prescribed, in case of secondary infection - antimicrobial agents. And also the treatment is aimed at restoring the liver.
Attention! Patients prone to self-monitoring the diagnosis and self-medication should be especially careful when they discover the symptoms of a disease provoked by the Epstein-Barr virus. If mononucleosis is accompanied by the presence of plaque on the tonsils, in no case should you try to remove it yourself. The use of various improvised means in this matter can not only harm health, but also provoke blood poisoning.
Therapy of mononucleosis is often accompanied by a special diet and bed rest. Consumed foods should not burden the liver. The number of meals is 4-5 per day. The patient should receive full vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins and vegetable fats. Low-fat fish and meat, fruits, vegetables, cereals are especially recommended.Taboo is applied to pickles, marinades, smoked meats, canned food, spicy dishes, industrial sauces and juices, etc.
It is important! With mononucleosis, heavy, debilitating physical activities are prohibited, only exercise therapy classes are permissible.
Forecast and consequences
Mononucleosis is rarely accompanied by complications, however, the latter are considered extremely dangerous, if any. The most common consequences of mononucleosis include paratonsillitis, sinusitis and otitis media. Rarely, rupture of the spleen or obstruction of the airways can be observed. It can provoke mononucleosis and neurological changes (polyneuritis, encephalitis). Additionally, complications of the functionality of the cardiac and respiratory systems may occur.
As a rule, when timely therapy is connected, mononucleosis is completely cured. An ill adult gets lifelong immunity to this disease.
Prevention
Special measures for the prevention of mononucleosis have not been developed.
The main preventive recommendations include:
- Compliance with personal hygiene. Do not use other people's household items.
- Strengthening the immune system.
- Timely carrying out wet cleaning (including in offices and other crowded places).
Mononucleosis is a disease whose symptoms can often be confused with the manifestations of other ailments. Differentiation is complicated by signs of this disease, often resembling acute respiratory infections and other common diseases. To monitor the symptoms of mononucleosis, a thorough, and most importantly, timely diagnosis is recommended. The treatment technique is selected for each patient, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body and the course of the pathology.
