Mononucleosis in children - what kind of disease?
It should be noted that babies who are not yet 2 and 2 years old are rarely exposed to this disease. At the same time, children 3-5 years old, as well as adults after 40 years, are most likely to be affected.
The causative agent of mononucleosis is a virus containing DNA belonging to the herpes family. Infection of a healthy person occurs by contact with its carrier by airborne droplets. A little less often there is a transmission of the virus through household items, toys of kids. It is in such ways and transmitted such a disease as mononucleosis in children.
What are the main manifestations of mononucleosis?
The signs of such a disease in children, like mononucleosis, are quite diverse and depend on many factors. So, first of all, it should be noted that the manifestations of the disease directly depend on the localization of the pathogen in the baby's body. It is accepted to distinguish 3 main stages of mononucleosis. Consider them in order.
The first period of the disease, incubation, can last from 1 to 8 weeks. As a rule, at this time mom does not notice anything unusual in her child, i.e. the disease does not manifest itself.
At the end of the incubation period, an acute stage of the disease occurs. It was at this time that the parents noted the appearance of the first common signs of a cold in their child. So the child becomes sluggish, apathy, weakness, and appetite decrease, up to the complete refusal of food intake. After a short time, the body temperature rises to subfebrile digits (38 and above). It should be noted that often the temperature does not go astray for 3-4 days or has a wave character (periods of recovery are followed by a short normalization). Older children often complain of a headache, sore throat in this period of the disease. When examining the oral cavity, there is hyperemia of the mucous membranes.
In addition to all of the above, there is an increase in regional lymph nodes. As a rule, the first to suffer from submandibular lymph nodes. In some cases, this symptom can be so pronounced that moms note the appearance on the neck of the baby formations with a chicken egg. The tissue located in the nasopharynx, while also swelling, resulting in parents can notice the appearance of snoring in the baby at night, which was previously not observed. Such changes also lead to a change in the voice of crumbs - it becomes hoarse, and in some cases completely disappears. Children of an older age try not to speak at all, because of extreme pain, and try to explain their gestures with the parents.
The third period of the disease, restorative, is characterized by the disappearance of the symptom described above and the normalization of the baby's well-being.
How is treatment carried out?
Before treating mononucleosis in children, a comprehensive examination is prescribed. The diagnosis is based on the results of laboratory tests.
The therapeutic process for this type of disease includes the following activities:
- adherence to bed rest;
- holding regular, wet cleaning in the baby's room;
- cool, plentiful drink;
- vitamin therapy;
- rinsing of the nasal cavity and instillation of vasoconstrictive drops;
- mouth rinsing with antiseptic solution (Iodinol, Furacilin), decoction of chamomile;
- when fever prescribed antipyretic drugs.
In general, the treatment process is symptomatic. To combat the pathogen prescribe antibiotics.
What can be dangerous mononucleosis, observed in children?
At the first symptoms of the disease, the mother should show the baby to the pediatrician. This will allow timely treatment and avoid the negative effects of mononucleosis, which can occur in children. These include:
- asphyxia of a specific nature - develops as a result of stenosis of the epiglottis (occurs as a result of proliferation of lymphoid tissue of the pharyngeal ring);
- encephalitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain);
- meningitis;
- thrombocytopenia.