Mononuclear infections in children

Bacterial mononucleosis is a common infection in children and teenagers caused by the Epstein Barr virus. To protect your child, it is best to understand the symptoms, causes and treatment of this disease.

Infectious mononucleosis is also known as inflammatory leukemia fever or disease of kisses. The disease is called the disease of kisses because it is usually spread through saliva. Therefore, it is very popular among teenagers. In developing countries, this disease is common in infants or young children, while in developed countries it is mainly found in adolescents.

About 95% of adults are infected with this virus and it lurks in their body. Sometimes, this virus will act again and spread to everyone around.

Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis

Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are vague and similar to those of other common viral infections. Therefore, to diagnose this disease is not an easy task. The incubation period lasts about 6 weeks. That means symptoms will appear after 6 weeks of exposure to the virus.

These symptoms include fever higher than 40 ° C that lasts for 1-2 weeks, and severe sore throat (this can be mistaken for strep throat). In addition to fever, the lymph nodes in the neck, liver, and spleen will also become swollen. This can make it difficult for the child to swallow and breathe. If these symptoms become more severe, you should take your baby to the hospital immediately. Other lymph nodes in the body, such as in the groin, armpits, etc., may also be swollen. You should make sure that your baby gets enough rest.

In addition to the above symptoms, there are other symptoms such as nausea, muscle pain, loss of appetite, fatigue ... These symptoms can last for about 2 months and even up to 4 months. After that, the symptoms will disappear and the virus will go into a state of "hibernation". This virus can cause serious problems but this is rare. The two common complications of this disease are nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma . Both of these diseases are caused by the Epstein Barr virus but are uncommon.

Diagnostic

Diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis is mainly based on suspicion. If the symptoms are very mild, even a doctor cannot diagnose this disease.

There is often confusion between strep throat and infectious mononucleosis. If this is the case, to be sure, the doctor will conduct an examination of the palate.

A blood count test is also performed to check for the presence of atypical lymphocytes in the blood. If the child is more likely to have this disease, the number of white blood cells will increase. Neutrophil and platelet counts are also lower than normal. In addition, the liver may not function properly.

The monospot test is a quick screening test to determine if an antibody (heterophil antibody) is formed in certain infections. A monospot test usually detects antibodies 2 to 9 weeks after you become infected. Therefore, when symptoms first start, this test won't work.

Treatments

This disease is caused by a virus, so antibiotics cannot be used for treatment. If it is mistaken for a bacterial disease and is treated with antibiotics, it can cause negative side effects. Although there are some antiviral drugs available, they are generally not very effective in general.

To reduce fever, you can take paracetamol (dosage needs to be monitored carefully and consult your doctor before taking). Aspirin should not be taken under any circumstances as it can lead to a very serious complication called Reye's syndrome . Sore throat is treated with Benadryl or some other pain reliever. You should give your child plenty of fluids to reduce dehydration.

If the tonsils are swollen, surgery will be ordered to remove them, followed by steroid medication. However, this is not a common situation.

Complications can occur

Usually the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are quite mild and it does not pose a danger to life. However, this disease can still lead to some serious complications, even death. Severe swollen tonsils that cause difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing are also a dangerous complication. Severe dehydration is also possible.

There is no evidence that a fetus born to a mother with the disorder exhibits any deformities or signs of the disease. Babies are born healthy.

Other rare complications of infectious mononucleosis are meningitis, myocarditis, and Guillian Barre's syndrome (an immune system that attacks part of the peripheral nervous system, causing paralysis or muscle weakness. are not treated in time).

Prevent disease

There is currently no vaccine available for Epstein Barr infections. The disease is spread through saliva, so it is common in adolescents. However, it can also be transmitted if you let your child share items such as straws, toothbrushes, etc.

The best way to prevent this disease is to keep children away from people who are sick. In addition, clean children's personal items.

It is important to note that children should be protected from this disease because when infected, the virus lurks in the child's body for life.

Children should eat foods when infected with mononucleosis

Diet is one of the first things you should change when your child is infected with the Epstein Barr virus to prevent symptoms from getting worse. Here are a few suggestions to consider:

Eat foods that contain healthy fats. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids should be included in the child's diet to help reduce inflammation. Foods rich in omega-3 fats also boost the immune system, helping to speed up recovery. Some of the foods high in fat are avocado, nuts, and salmon ...

Drink a lot of water. Fever is the first symptom of this disease. Fever can lead to dehydration and make other symptoms worse. Make sure you give your child enough fluids to prevent fluid loss. Drinking lemon juice can also help relieve a sore throat, a common symptom of illness.

Eat fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants, which can help the immune system cope with the virus. In addition, vegetables and fruits also help eliminate toxins from the body.

Add protein-rich foods to your child's diet. Protein rich foods help maintain the health of cells and promote recovery of the body. Protein also helps your immune system to develop better. Foods high in protein are chicken, fish, eggs ... However, too much protein should not be given to your child because over-supplementing can lead to other serious health problems.