Epstein virus - Barr in children, causes of the disease and treatment

Epstein-Barr virus is one of the types of herpes virus, which has more than a dozen varieties. The virus can be in the body for a long time and do not give any signs. It appears, as a rule, in the form of an infectious disease against the background of a decrease in immunity. A vivid example of this is infectious mononucleosis, but there may be other diseases involving the lymphatic system. Symptoms are rather blurred, patients complain of general malaise, weakness, etc.

The virus is transmitted from person to person by sneezing, coughing, kissing, since its main residence is in the oropharynx. The Epstein-Barr virus in children in the body can live more than one year - it all depends on the immunity. If the defensive forces are weakening, it makes itself felt.

Epstein-Barr virus and diseases associated with it

The Epstein-Barr virus in children, as a rule, manifests itself as an infectious mononucleosis. This disease is mainly sick children and adolescents. The first symptoms of a viral illness are similar to the main signs of other infections: general weakness, aches, headache, etc. Then there is a sudden increase in body temperature to 39 degrees, lymph nodes in the neck and occiput greatly increase in size, the face becomes swollen. With palpation, there is an increase in the size of the liver and spleen, a general blood test shows signs of anemia, the temperature lasts at least a week, and antibiotic treatment does not work. In some cases, the course of the disease is complicated by hepatitis, jaundice and cardiac pathology.

Infectious mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis, which is provoked by the Epstein-Barr virus, can occur in children for three weeks. But the increase in internal organs and lymph nodes can be observed for some time.

In laboratory diagnosis, antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus are determined in the venous blood of the infected person. Please note that positive results are detected not immediately after the virus enters the body, but after a while (it may take several months). In a healthy child, antibodies should not normally be present, but after infection, antibodies are found in the blood throughout life.

How to treat infections caused by the Epstein-Barr virus

When the child is diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis, the next question is how to treat the Epstein-Barr virus. In light forms, a course of treatment and rehabilitation can take place at home, with a severe course, hospitalization is necessary. From drugs prescribed drugs that affect the removal of symptoms of the disease. In addition, it is necessary to provide the child with sufficient drinking and care. In the case of severe disease, antiviral drugs are prescribed.

Prevention - is it possible

The Epstein-Barr virus in children can not be prevented, there is no specific prevention. A pleasant circumstance is that relapses of this disease are absent, because It produces a permanent immunity for life. The only preventive measure is the maintenance of the immune system. It is the decrease or absence of the body's defenses that give rise to the activation of a viral infection.