- Infectious mononucleosis - the illness of students
- How can you get sick
How could I get infectious mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis - a contagious disease, which usually get sick in childhood and young age. This gives rise to characteristic changes in the lymphatic system, liver, spleen, and signs of the total defeat of the body and changes in the blood.
It causes infectious mononucleosis virus, which belongs to the herpes virus. The virus can live for a long time in the lymph cells of a man waiting in the wings - lowered immunity, and only in the presence of favorable conditions for itself, cause disease. A feature of this virus is that it can "stick" to the blood immune cells (B lymphocytes), thus reducing their protective properties. In addition, this virus can cause cancers of the lymphatic system.
To catch infectious mononucleosis can be from an infected person by airborne droplets, but only under certain conditions: reduction of the body's defenses and close communication with the patient. Close contact always occurs in families, so there are cases of familial diseases with different forms of the disease (the severity of the process depends on the state of immunity).
Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis
The incubation period for infectious mononucleosis is up to a month, on average - seven days. Characterized by acute onset of high fever and chills, are replaced by profuse sweating. This state can last from weeks to months. Ups and downs in temperature usually follow each other in a certain rhythm. Sometimes the disease begins not so abruptly and without raising the temperature. There are cases which occur without any increase in temperature.
The following sign - lymphadenopathy (cervical advantageously, but may be increased and other limfouzmy), they can be seen (or only palpated) a side neck. A person acquires the characteristic form is swelling, particularly noticeable swelling of the eyelids, neck increased in volume and deformed.
One of the signs of infectious mononucleosis is an enlarged liver and spleen. In some cases, the liver starts the inflammatory process, which is accompanied by discomfort, pain in the liver and jaundice (skin and eye sclera icteric acquired color).
Another symptom that is almost always occurs - angina
Angina - is it worth it to carry "on their feet"?
. In the area of the throat may be observed as a slight redness and purulent lesion of the tonsils. In addition, there may be nasal congestion (runny nose usually is not), the emergence of "strangled" voice.
At the height of the disease in the blood of patients with infectious mononucleosis
Mononucleosis - forecast favorable
marked increase in the number of white blood cells due to their individual species - lymphocytes and monocytes, as well as the appearance of cells having different sizes and shapes - mononuclear cells. During recovery the number of leukocytes in the blood decreases, mononuclear cells gradually disappear.
Recovery is slow, too slow and the temperature is gradually reduced. Long hold residual effects: an increase in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
Complications
Despite the fact that the disease is long and hard enough, it seldom gives complications. Most complications occur in children: join inflammation of the middle ear, sinuses, etc. Sometimes, on the background of a sharp increase in cervical lymph nodes in young children is a violation of the respiratory system (lymph nodes compress the airways). There may be abnormal liver function. Complications can also arise from the brain and peripheral nervous system.
Treatment
When infectious mononucleosis prescribe bed rest, good nutrition, plenty of alkaline water (it is especially useful if there is purulent tonsillitis). Be sure to prescribed drugs that remove tissue swelling, antihistamines, in severe disease - steroid hormones. If there is a purulent tonsillitis
Purulent tonsillitis - requires strict bed rest
Appointed antibiotics
Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future?
. Perhaps the appointment of antiviral drugs interferon group, which contribute to raising the general immunity (eg viferona).
