Infectious mononucleosis in a child: symptoms and treatment

Mononucleosis is a contagious disease, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (abbreviated VEB). And although many people have never heard of VEB, its prevalence is extremely high. Studies show that by the age of five, half the world's children have been infected by the age of five, and by the age of majority VEB is already in the body of 90 percent of people. At the same time, the majority of the inhabitants of the planet does not cause the virus to cause any symptoms, and therefore does not pose a threat to health. If the clinical picture becomes pronounced, then there is an infectious mononucleosis. In children, the symptoms of this disease are sometimes difficult to determine, as they resemble signs of other diseases. In adults, it practically does not occur.

Infectious mononucleosis in a child: characteristic symptoms

After the lapse of 1-2 months after entering the body of the virus, the first signs of the disease appear. The earliest symptom is an increase in temperature (38-39 degrees). It will be kept long enough - from a week to 10 days. Along with this, there may be a strong chill, joint pain, muscle, drowsiness, general weakness.

In addition, infectious mononucleosis in children can lead to an increase in lymph nodes. Photos of the ill children often demonstrate protruding under the skin in the neck (behind the ears and under the lower jaw) and deforming its outlines lymph nodes. Do not try to use compresses or any other methods, hoping to remove the inflammation. These methods are ineffective - the lymph nodes themselves will acquire normal dimensions as the infectious mononucleosis in the child passes.

Another symptom of the disease can be a skin rash in the form of pink or red spots appearing on the face, extremities, back or stomach. In some cases, it can thickly cover almost the entire body. Thus rashes do not cause an itch and too do not demand treatment. They pass themselves in a fairly short time, leaving no traces.

The next typical sign is inflammation of the tonsils, which is manifested by reddening of the throat and pains in it. The surface of the tonsils can be covered with a purulent coating. To ease the pain, you can use drugs such as "Ibuprofen", "Paracetamol."

Diagnostics

If you have a suspicion of an infectious mononucleosis in a child, contact your local doctor as soon as possible. He will send you to an infectious disease specialist who will perform the diagnosis and, upon confirmation of the diagnosis, prescribe treatment for the baby. Diagnostic studies will include a blood test, an ultrasound scan of internal organs, an analysis for antibodies against EBV.

Infectious mononucleosis in a child: ways of treatment

Stop reproduction of EBV can not be any drugs. Modern antiviral medicines, effective in other viral infections, in this case, are practically ineffective. But do not be scared, because most often the disease is easily tolerated and does not entail complications. Treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms and implies taking antipyretics in case of accompanying fever or severe fever. Reception of antibiotics is recommended only in the event that the complications of the disease develop (for example, pneumonia).