The term "mononucleosis-like syndrome" refers to a complex of symptoms characteristic of certain diseases. It accompanies the course of pathologies of both infectious and non-infectious nature. This greatly complicates the differential diagnosis. Treatment of mononucleosis syndrome in adults and children directly depends on the cause of the complex of symptoms. It is usually symptomatic.
Reasons
Mononucleosis-like syndrome is not an independent disease. This is a whole complex of symptoms characteristic of certain ailments.
Diseases, the debut of which is accompanied by the occurrence of a mononucleosis-like syndrome:
- Herpes virus infection.
- HIV
- Infectious mononucleosis. The symptom complex is characteristic of the pathology caused by both cytomegalovirus and the active life of the Epstein-Barr virus.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- Chlamydia.
- Adenoviral infection.
- Mycoplasmosis.
- Tularemia. Mononucleosis-like syndrome occurs only in individuals suffering from anginal-bubonic form.
- Listeriosis. The symptom complex is characteristic of the anginal-septic form.
- Brucellosis.
- Pseudotuberculosis.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- Lymphogranulomatosis.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
The list contains pathologies that are diagnosed most often. There are much more diseases, the course of which is characterized by the occurrence of a mononucleosis-like syndrome. That is why differential diagnosis is much more difficult, it requires a comprehensive examination, which often takes a long time. But only a doctor can establish the cause of mononucleosis syndrome, self-medication is unacceptable.
Clinical manifestations
As mentioned above, this syndrome is a whole complex of alarming signs. It includes the following symptoms:
- Fever (temperature 39 in both an adult and a child persists for 1-3 weeks).
- Pain in the throat. When examining the oral cavity, signs of pharyngitis or tonsillitis are revealed. On average, they last 2 to 3 weeks.
- Polyadenitis. This is a condition in which there is an increase in the size of 2 or more groups of lymph nodes. The latter are moderately painful on palpation, mobile, between themselves and nearby tissues are notsoldered.
- Hepatosplenomegaly. This term refers to the simultaneous increase in the size of the spleen and liver.
- Candidiasis stomatitis.
- Frequent headache episodes.
- Nausea, often turning into vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Painful sensations of an abdominal nature.
- Permanent feeling of tiredness.
- Pain in muscles and joints.
- Weight loss.
- Lethargic dream.
- Excessive sweating at night.
- Cough.
- Erythematous rash. It is symmetrical, the spots resemble those that occur with syphilis and measles. As a rule, the rash is localized on the trunk, some of its elements can be seen on the neck and face. Spots remain on the skin from 3 days to 3 weeks.
- Hemorrhagic rash. Often, its appearance is combined with damage to the mucous membrane of the mouth, larynx and esophagus.
This set of symptoms can last up to 3 weeks. With HIV, a mononucleosis-like syndrome is a consequence of an active immune response of the body. Therefore, it lasts longer (up to 6 weeks on average).
Features of the course in children
In babies, the syndrome manifests itself very weakly. In this regard, an erroneous diagnosis is often made - SARS. The main distinguishing feature is the appearance of a rash in children.
Mononucleosis-like syndrome in older children (at 6-15 years old) manifests itself much brighter. Children complain of a severe headache, they are constantly worried about fatigue, even without visiblethen the reasons. They are irritable, their psycho-emotional background is unstable.
In general, the symptoms of mononucleosis-like syndrome are the same in both adults and children.
Diagnosis
When the first warning signs appear, you should consult a therapist. This is a general practitioner who will issue a referral for a comprehensive examination, based on the results of which he will draw up a treatment regimen or refer him for a consultation to narrow profile doctors.
Primary diagnosis of mononucleosis-like syndrome consists in the collection of anamnesis, physical examination and palpation. The doctor needs to provide information regarding all the symptoms present and their intensity. It is also important to voice how long ago they appeared.
As a rule, patients complain to the doctor that they have pain in almost every organ, and therefore their quality of life is significantly worsened. Diagnosis involves a comprehensive examination, including:
- Blood tests (clinical, biochemical, C-reactive protein).
- Urine examination (general).
- X-ray of the joints.
- Nuclear magnetic resonance.
- CT and chest X-ray.
- Angiography.
- Echocardiography.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
Diagnosis of mononucleosis-like syndrome and the disease it accompanies takes a very long time. This is due to the need to differentiate the disease from a large number of pathologies,especially those that are systemic or autoimmune.
Treatment
The treatment regimen directly depends on the underlying disease. Treatment options based on the underlying cause are described in the table below.
| Disease | Therapy Schedule |
| Herpes virus infection | Intake of antiviral and immunostimulating agents |
| HIV | Intravenous administration and oral use of drugs with antiretroviral action, as well as medicines, the active components of which help strengthen the body's defenses |
| Infectious mononucleosis | Taking antiviral and antibacterial agents, as well as corticosteroids. If necessary, symptomatic therapy is carried out |
| Toxoplasmosis | Taking antibiotics |
| Chlamydia | Oral use of antibacterial and immunostimulating agents, vitamin therapy |
| Adenoviral infection | Acceptance of antibiotics and complexes that help strengthen the body's defenses |
| Mycoplasmosis | Use of antibacterial drugs and immunomodulators, local treatment of lesions |
| Tularemia | Antibiotic and vaccine therapy, symptomatic treatment |
| Listeriosis | Introduction and oral use of antibacterials |
| Brucellosis | Taking antibiotics, antihistamines andsedatives, as well as vitamins and glucocorticosteroids |
| Pseudotuberculosis | Use of antibacterial agents, intravenous administration of glucose solution |
| Lymphoblastic leukemia | Chemo-and maintenance therapy |
| Lymphogranulomatosis | Radiation and chemotherapy, donor bone marrow transplantation |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus | Accepting glucocorticosteroids and immunomodulators |
As a rule, the symptom complex disappears on its own after successful treatment of the underlying disease. If necessary, additional NSAIDs, painkillers, sedatives, antitussives, etc. are prescribed.
Recommendations from experts
Doctors say self-medication is unacceptable. Experts do not recommend taking any folk remedies, since against the background of their use the clinical picture may be distorted, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.
It is important to know that the cause of mononucleosis-like syndrome can be a dangerous disease. Self-medication or ignoring the warning signs can be fatal.
Prevention
There are no specific measures against the development of the symptom complex. The main task of everyone is to prevent the occurrence of pathologies, the course of which accompanies the syndrome. To do this, it is necessary to follow the principles of a he althy lifestyle andtreat all identified diseases in a timely manner.
In conclusion
Mononucleosis-like syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms that is characteristic of the debut of a large number of ailments. In this regard, when the first warning signs appear, you should consult a doctor.
