How does infectious mononucleosis occur in children?

Infectious mononucleosis in children is a rather rare phenomenon, especially in small children. The most common are adolescent children, because at this time the body begins to grow and grow hormones. The disease has several names: monocytic angina, Filatov-Pfeiffer disease or infectious mononucleosis. Symptoms are manifested by the development of angina, the appearance of specific spots on the oral mucosa and inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Etiology of mononucleosis and pathogenesis of the disease

The cause and causative agent of the disease is the Epstein-Barr virus, which refers to herpesviruses. The virus multiplies in the blood cells - lymphocytes, causing them to change with the formation of mononuclears. The virus is transmitted from a sick person who may not necessarily have a vivid clinic. Very often, its carrier has a hidden, erased form of the disease. The virus can persist in the body for up to several months. Clear dependence on the time of year is not observed, and the disease occurs with the same frequency at any time.

The virus enters the body when it is inhaled with air, contact with the carrier. Infectious mononucleosis in infants is extremely rare, as they are transmitted immunity from the mother. Adult people also very often by the age of maturity develop immunity to the disease. In the blood, antibodies to the virus are detected.

How infectious mononucleosis manifests, diagnosis of the disease

The disease has an incubation period ranging from a week to a month. On this, the disease can become a carrier. Infectious mononucleosis in children and adults begins with the appearance of general malaise, pain in muscles and joints, and a rise in temperature. Clinical manifestations are very similar to usual ARVI, and often this diagnosis is put out by doctors. After there is an inflammatory process in the nasopharynx, the throat. On examination, the nasopharyngeal mucosa is edematous, hyperemic. Tonsils are enlarged, sometimes they form whitish plaque. The child complains of perspiration, hoarseness of voice and pain when swallowing. Rhinitis is associated with a detachable mucous nature, the nose is often embedded, the effects of intoxication are increasing. Involvement of lymphoid tissue leads to an increase in the spleen and liver and regional lymph nodes in the neck.

Blood also responds to the action of the virus and changes its picture. The number of leukocytes increases, their eosinophils and lymphocytes exceed their norm. In the blood there are mononucleosis-specific cells - mononuclears. These are giant altered lymphocytes with a large nucleus and cytoplasm. Perhaps this is the main criterion in the diagnosis. The detailed picture of the disease lasts several weeks (about a month), and the test results come back to normal in a few months. The virus persisting in the body, with the weakening of the immune system, can give rise to a new outbreak of the disease, so they speak of its undulating course. Complications, as a rule, do not develop, sometimes, in very rare cases, a rupture of the spleen may occur or hepatitis develops.

Diagnosis of the disease in the initial stage is difficult, because the manifestations of the disease are similar to other viral and respiratory diseases of the respiratory system. When there are enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, tonsillitis and mononuclears, the diagnosis is easier to set.

Treatment of the disease

Usually hospitalization is not required, the infectious mononucleosis in children is treated at home. No special antiviral therapy is given. If a child rises a fever, give antipyretic drugs. To prevent complications, use antihistamines.