In most cases, mononucleosis is quite fast and without consequences, but in some cases, the disease flows chronic. The exact reasons for this are unknown, but presumably, chronic mononucleosis is formed by a weak immune system of the patient.

Symptoms of chronic mononucleosis

The manifestations of this disease are very different. For example, some patients may experience enlargement of the spleen (usually less pronounced than in the acute phase of infectious mononucleosis), an inflammation of the liver, lymph node enlargement. Body temperature is usually normal or slightly elevated.

Chronic mononucleosis in children (as well as an acute mononucleosis) often occurs with less severe symptoms than adults, although there are exceptions. The most common symptoms of this disease are weakness, fatigue, drowsiness (at the same time, the patient may have trouble falling asleep, waking up in the night and other sleep disorders), from time to time - headaches and muscle pain. Also possible stomachache Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms , Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, but they are usually short-lived episodes. Patients infected with herpesvirus type 1 and 2, the virus can be activated more often than usual, causing a painful rash on the lips or in the genital area. In rare cases, it can spread to other parts of the body such as the eye.

Constant fatigue that occurs in some patients with chronic mononucleosis and persist for a long time, has caused speculation that Epstein - Barr virus in some cases can lead to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Causes

The most likely cause of a chronic mononucleosis is a weak immune system. It may be both weakened due to certain diseases or drugs, and for example, because of strong and / or constant stress. It was noted that relatively often develop chronic mononucleosis in adults who work very hard, are not able to get enough rest, which often there are conflicts in the family and that, in general, is constantly experiencing, in varying degrees, the psychological discomfort.

Treatment of chronic mononucleosis

If a few weeks after the first symptoms of mononucleosis Symptoms of mononucleosis - easy to make a mistake   you still remain pronounced signs of infection, see your doctor. It may conduct assays to identify possible causes of weak immunity that caused persistent infection - for example, testing for HIV, as well as the blood sugar level Blood sugar - one of the main indicators of human health   (diabetes - one of the diseases that can weaken the immune defense of the person). In addition, the doctor will ask you about the details of your lifestyle - this information also helps us understand why mononucleosis was not like the majority of patients, and flowed into the chronic form.

Unfortunately, antiviral drugs do not help either in acute or chronic mononucleosis while. However, the doctor may prescribe use of these drugs to reduce the chance of infection of other people (though most of them, most likely, already infected, and they have immunity from mononucleosis).

The main method of treatment of a chronic mononucleosis is to strengthen immunity Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system   For this there is a wide range of measures - from proper nutrition to control stress .  First of all patients is recommended, if possible, to take sick leave, and some time to relax .  It is not necessary to comply with bed rest - just to get enough sleep and exercise to choose feasible .  Despite his illness and fatigue, should not avoid dialogue - a sense of social isolation can lead to stress and depression .  Try as much as possible to do what gives you pleasure, and thus does not take too much force .  In addition, it is important to correctly fully fed .  Make sure that in your daily diet consisted of all the necessary vitamins and minerals, if necessary, take vitamin supplements .  Drink plenty of water - if the body is not enough liquid, it can not effectively fight the disease .  Meditate, do the breathing exercises, engaged in auto-training to learn how to better control stress .  If this does not refer to a psychologist .

In addition, since the immune system of patients with chronic mononucleosis is required to take all measures to protect themselves against a variety of infections, including diseases of sexually transmitted infections.

It's hard to say exactly how much the recovery process will last, but most people feel much better after 5-6 months since the onset of signs of infectious mononucleosis. However, there are cases where some of the symptoms of the disease, most often - fatigue and lethargy - are stored up to one year, or even longer.

The term "glandular fever", which today is sometimes called viral mononucleosis, was first used in 1889, and in 1920 was drafted first sufficiently detailed description of the disease. However, the link between mononucleosis and its causative agent - Epstein-Barr virus has been found only in the 60s of the last century.

Spreading

Epstein-Barr virus is transmitted via different allocation of the human body, most often - in saliva. There are cases when it is spread through sexual intercourse and blood transfusion, but it happens very rarely. The unofficial name of the virus mononucleosis - "kissing disease" came from the fact that most of it is transmitted through kissing, but can lead to infection and getting saliva in the patient's body in other ways. Once in the body, the virus enters the liver, spleen and lymph nodes.

The most common viral mononucleosis in children Mononucleosis in children - possible complications   and teenagers, but it can occur in other age, including, though rarely in the elderly. Up to 50% of children are infected with EBV before they turn five years old, and many of them it does not develop active mononucleosis. Among those infected in adolescence and college years (23-25 ​​years), mononucleosis sick about half of those infected.

The manifestations of viral mononucleosis

The duration of the incubation period of the virus of mononucleosis is usually one to two months. Many patients can not remember when they are in contact with sick mononucleosis, and this is not surprising: often spread infection is a person who has no symptoms or very weakly expressed.

Almost all people who become ill with mononucleosis, complain of fatigue and weakness, lingering for a long time. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat (pharyngitis), and sore throat - the second most common symptom of this disease.

Many patients in viral mononucleosis while the body temperature is raised, but it is quite rarely rises above 38.5 degrees Celsius. Chills and body aches with this disease are less common than in many other viral infections.

Pretty common viral mononucleosis symptoms like nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, coughing. Some patients also complain of chest pain and sensitivity to light, but these symptoms usually pass quickly.

In addition, when there are viral mononucleosis symptoms such as skin rash, swelling of the eyelids, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), a slight decrease in heart rate, hepatomegaly Hepatomegaly - not a disease but a sign of the terrible   and splenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen, respectively), jaundice.

In children and adolescents the virus mononucleosis symptoms are often less severe than in adults. In the elderly, ill mononucleosis, of all the symptoms are sometimes present only mild pain in the throat, jaundice and an enlarged liver, because of what the doctor may first assume that the patient has hepatitis Hepatitis - the scourge of our time . Generally, jaundice in this disease develops in less than 10% of children and young adults, and about 30% of the elderly.

Pharyngitis when mononucleosis can be exudative and nonexudative, in the first case it is often confused with streptococcal pharyngitis Pharyngitis - recommended home treatment . Approximately 30% of patients present in the nasopharynx of group A streptococci, and if the doctor misinterpreted symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and enlarged tonsils, appoint only the analysis of a smear from the throat may be misdiagnosed.

Skin rash of viral mononucleosis appears (if at all), as a rule, in the early days of the disease. Usually, it is not very noticeable, it does not cause itching and other discomfort, and quickly disappears. In cases where patients who have been diagnosed with strep throat, ampicillin and amoxicillin, and may receive a skin rash, but it is often accompanied by itching and lasts for a long time.

The spleen in patients with mononucleosis usually increases by one or two weeks after the first signs of the disease. Its size is generally again bounces back no more than three weeks after completion of the active phase of the disease.