Lymphadenitis - an inflammation of lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic system, which, in turn, refers to the immune system The immune system - how it works? . Lymphadenitis may not cause pain - it depends on the underlying disease causing it.

Symptoms lymphadenitis

The main symptom is lymphadenitis inflammation and soreness of the skin in the lymph nodes. Swollen lymph nodes called lymphadenopathy.

Other symptoms may be lymphadenitis pruritus, nodules that can be felt through the skin, rash, redness, swelling.

In the relatively rare cases where lymphadenitis associated with dangerous diseases, it can cause the following symptoms: shortness of, and / or shortness of breath, high fever (above 38.5 C), increased heart rate (tachycardia), severe pain and / or inflammation.

Causes

Infectious causes of lymphadenitis

Bacterial and viral infections - one of the most common causes of lymphadenitis. Such infections include:

• Fungal and parasitic infections;
• HIV;
• Kissing disease Mononucleosis - forecast favorable ;
• Other bacterial and viral infections;
• Infections caused by staphylococcus;
• Streptococcal infections;
• Tuberculosis;
• Viral upper respiratory tract infection.

Non-infectious causes of lymphadenitis

For non-infectious causes of lymphadenitis include the following:

• Inflammation caused by a reaction to a foreign body;
• Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes);
• The secondary (metastatic) cancer.

Treatment lymphadenitis

Treatment depends on the lymphadenitis caused the breach. Most often used for the treatment of the following means:

• Painkillers - if lymphadenitis causes severe pain;
• Antibiotics - if the cause is a bacterial infection lymphadenitis;
• Anti-inflammatory drugs.

Inflammation can also be reduced by using cold compresses. Occasionally inflammation of the lymph nodes causes the formation of an abscess Abscess - why it is so dangerous ulcers?   - In this case you may need surgical drainage of abscess methods. This procedure is minimally invasive, and generally does not involve risks for the health of the patient.

Complications

In many cases, lymphadenitis for some time passes itself. However, depending on the cause, symptoms, lymphadenitis can be stored for a long time. Moreover, sometimes without treatment lymphadenitis it can lead to very serious and even life-threatening. For example, the consequences of lymphadenitis may be the spread of cancer or infection. With regard to cancer, they cause inflammation of lymph nodes Inflammation of the lymph nodes - when it comes to infection Usually in the later stages of the disease when treatment can be applied mainly to preserve the quality of life of the patient at a predetermined level. When infectious diseases sad outcome can be avoided if you start treatment on time, and to prevent further spread of infection.

Adults rarely get sick pretty mononucleosis. It is believed that at least 50% of the people suffer this disease between puberty in children, or even years. By the time they reach the age of 35 years, at least 90% of people already have antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus. Nevertheless, the risk of disease in adulthood mononucleosis there and mononucleosis in adults often causes more severe symptoms than children and adolescents. In addition, the virus can cause reinfection in HIV-infected patients.

Infectious mononucleosis was first described in 1889; Then it was called glandular fever. Its modern and more well-known today, he received the title in 1920. It refers to the characteristic feature of mononucleosis, which can be detected through a blood test - an increased level of monocytes, mononuclear (mononuclear) variety of white blood cells.

Causes of mononucleosis in adults

Epstein - Barr virus that causes mononucleosis, is found throughout the world, its prevalence, apparently, has no connection with the level of socio-economic development of the country, climate, and other factors. Over the life of the virus infected the vast majority of people (probably up to 99%, although the exact number of infected to install is not possible).

When the virus enters the body produces antibodies that are necessary for protection against various pathogens. These antibodies can be detected in the blood of any person who is infected with Epstein-Barr virus - regardless of how long ago it happened.

The probability of infection is equally great for all people, regardless of gender and general health. According to rough estimates, infectious mononucleosis develops no more than half of infected adults (compared to only 10% of Epstein - Barr virus after infection leads to symptoms persist).

How is infection

The virus is the causative agent of mononucleosis, is transmitted from person to person usually through saliva. From the moment the virus enters the body until symptoms of mononucleosis Symptoms of mononucleosis - easy to make a mistake   (if they appear at all) can be four to six, and occasionally eight weeks.

Infection can occur if a person kisses ill mononucleosis, or if you drink with him from the same dish, if you keep your toothbrush Toothbrushes - make no mistake in choosing   in a glass, and so on.

Patients can spread the virus throughout the disease, and about for two or three weeks after the symptoms disappear mononucleosis.

Some people who have previously suffered mononucleosis, or have been infected with Epstein - Barr virus, but the disease is asymptomatic at them, from time to time the virus can reactivate. Such patients can infect other people at the same time do not feel any malaise. Currently, many researchers believe that these people are the main source of Epstein-Barr virus. Since in most cases it does not pose a serious threat to human health, there is no need to isolate people at times when they are infectious, although patients mononucleosis still worth taking precautions to prevent infection of healthy people around.

Symptoms of mononucleosis in adults

In most cases, the first symptoms of mononucleosis in adults are:

• Fatigue, malaise;
• Fatigue;
• Lack of appetite;
• Chills.

These symptoms persist for one to three days, and then there are such signs of infectious mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis - the illness of students How severe sore throat, fever (fever in adults can persist for several days in a row), the increase in cervical lymph nodes - usually bilateral. During the examination, the doctor can detect the redness of the throat and tonsils. At least one-third of all cases in the tonsils, a white plaque. Approximately half of the patients revealed an enlarged spleen and liver dysfunction. In 5% of cases of the skin in patients with mononucleosis adult red rash appears, similar to the one which is typical for measles Measles in children - may cause serious complications . In children, this symptom is rare. In addition, sometimes the first few days of illness in patients of both appears swollen upper eyelid - usually it passes very quickly.

Diagnostics

The skilled physician may suspect that a patient mononucleosis, based on the above-described symptoms. Because the disease in adults is rare, its symptoms are sometimes mistaken for symptoms of other diseases, and the disease is diagnosed at once. Fortunately, with the untimely diagnosis of mononucleosis usually do not facing any serious consequences for health.

Already in the early stages of the disease blood test can show the increase in monocytes. To confirm the diagnosis, tests carried out on antibodies to Epstein - Barr virus - they can be found in two to three weeks after infection. In addition, blood tests help identify inflammation and abnormalities in liver function, which are sometimes the result of mononucleosis. With laboratory analysis can also exclude certain diseases whose symptoms are similar to symptoms of mononucleosis, such as cytomegalovirus infection, streptococcal infection and toxoplasmosis.