Infectious mononucleosis, or as it is also called "kissing disease" - a viral disease, the carrier of which is the virus Epstein-Barr. It received such a name, because it is transmitted by air-drop method, through kisses, common utensils and linen. The main symptoms are fever, an increase in lymph nodes, a lesion of the mucous throat and nose.
Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis
The most striking signs of mononucleosis are:
- fever, fever;
- increase in the size of lymph nodes;
- tonsillitis, the appearance of a touch on the tonsils;
- changing the size of the liver and spleen;
- jaundice, accompanied by darkening of the urine and yellowing of the skin.
Consequences of mononucleosis
The most frequent complications are the occurrence of various infections. Possible inflammation of the brain and overlap with enlarged tonsils of the respiratory tract. In rare cases, infectious mononucleosis can lead to such consequences as lung infiltration and rupture of the spleen. This disease in children can provoke the development of hepatitis.
Diagnosis of mononucleosis
The definition of infectious mononucleosis occurs by a blood test for the presence in it of lymphocytosis and an increased content of atypical mononuclears. Serological analysis is also conducted on the Paul-Bunnel reaction. When interacting with erythrocytes of a rabbit, ram or guinea pig in the patient's blood, an increase in the amount of hemagglutinins is observed. A titer of at least 1:64 indicates the patient has mononucleosis.
How to treat infectious mononucleosis?
In case the disease proceeds without complications, the patient can stay at home and stay in the hospital. Depending on the nature of the disease and its degree, the patient is prescribed bed rest and diet. A specially developed regimen for the treatment of mononucleosis has not been developed, mainly using such measures as:
- fighting with intoxication of the body;
- treatment of symptoms;
- taking desensitizing drugs to prevent allergies ;
- purpose of restorative means;
- Throat rinsing with antiseptic solutions.
If there are no serious complications in infectious mononucleosis, antibiotic treatment is not prescribed. In the event that the patient has a risk of asphyxia due to enlarged tonsils, or hypertoxicity is observed, the treatment process lasts for three days with the use of glucocorticoids.
Diet for infectious mononucleosis
In the diet of the patient should be readily assimilated and sufficiently high-calorie food. The ratio of carbohydrates, proteins and fats should be equal to 4: 1: 1. However, proteins of animal origin are not prohibited. In the acute period of mononucleosis, it is necessary to consume more dairy and plant proteins. At this stage, the deficit of protein can be replenished by eating low-fat cottage cheese.
As you recover, on the fifth day you can already include in the menu fish, eggs and meat. Throughout the whole disease it is forbidden to eat smoked, canned, seasoned and refractory fats.
The first stage of the disease should reduce the amount of fat. Once the patient is better, you can gradually include sour cream, butter. During the entire treatment, the patient should take a solution of magnesium sulfate, which has a cholagogic and laxative effect. The doctor prescribes the intake of ascorbic acid, vitamins B and PP groups.
Infectious mononucleosis - prevention
A special set of preventive measures to prevent this disease has not yet been developed. In general, doctors advise to take the same measures to prevent infection, as with respiratory diseases, and also recommend strengthening immunity and increasing the body's resistance to infections.