What is mononucleosis in children?

Mononucleosis is a viral disease, as a rule, it is called "young disease". It affects the lymphoid tissue, the tonsils of the nasopharynx, the spleen, and in some cases the liver. Most often it occurs in children older than two or three years, transmitted by airborne droplets. Epidemic in this case does not arise. Viral mononucleosis in children can often be hidden and has an incubation period from three to seven days to several months. This disease is often recognized by snoring (if in normal condition children do not snore), but sometimes it can take the form of angina or pneumonia. However, the most important aspect in the diagnosis of mononucleosis is a blood test: it can appear atypical cells (mononuclears) or leukocytes, which are affected by the virus.

Diagnostics

Symptoms of mononucleosis are not specific enough, so it is so difficult to diagnose, but very often the diagnosis is made in a protracted course. The first symptoms of the disease - this is the reason for going to the doctor, who will analyze the course of the disease and give directions to two blood tests. The first test for the determination of heterophilic agglutinins, it can be positive in almost 80% of children with mononucleosis. For the second test, you will need to count unusual lymphocytes that must fight infection, in the baby's blood smears.

Symptoms

The disease can develop very quickly, while the patient feels fatigue and discomfort. One of the characteristic signs of infectious mononucleosis is a slow onset of fever, which can be accompanied by signs of angina and swelling of the lymph nodes. Often, these patients develop an unpleasant odor from the mouth. Indirect signs of mononucleosis are considered:

• Nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen.
• Coryza.
• Headache.
• Soreness in the joints.
• Flushes of blood to the head.
• Bleeding gums.
• Loss of appetite.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Sometimes a reddish rash may appear.

Chronic mononucleosis in children affects the nervous system and can cause damage to the cerebellum, encephalitis, convulsions or psychosis. In addition, this disease affects the immune system, because of which the protective function of the body is greatly reduced. In this case, doctors prescribe antibiotic treatment.

Treatment

Like any viral disease, mononucleosis in children does not have specific methods of treatment, so often use antipyretics, warm drink and vitamin therapy. Running cases require more serious treatment. As a rule, it always passes quite effectively, but after recovery, it takes a very long time to restore the body. Since the process involves lymphatic involvement, a child with a mononucleosis will be shown a consultation with a pediatric hematologist, but this is only if the blood test does not return to normal. For young patients, a special diet with a restriction of sweet, fatty, smoked is being developed. In order for the child to recover, it is enough to observe peace, diet, take medicine and vitamins. Only in this case can we expect that the mononucleosis in children will pass without a trace. In no case can it be used to treat this illness of warming up and physiotherapy.

Prevention of mononucleosis

Prevention of this disease consists in isolating sick children from healthy ones. And the point here is not even that sometimes mononucleosis in a child behaves quite unpredictably. Nevertheless, it is a weakly contagious infection, and it is impossible to guarantee that healthy children will not be infected at the same time. This aspect is very relevant for teenagers, because they often shake hands, kiss, eat and drink from one dish. Adherence to basic hygiene, a balanced diet and the right regime is a good prevention of viral diseases, including mononucleosis.