Infrequently adults suffer from infectious mononucleosis. Most of them, by the age of forty, have already formed antibodies to this virus and developed strong immunity. However, the possibility of infection still exists. It is noted that older people are more susceptible to the disease than children. In this article, we will try to figure out what it is - mononucleosis in adults, how you can get infected, what are its signs and how to be treated.
Briefly about the discovery of the disease: historical facts
Mononucleosis is an infectious pathology that occurs in an acute form with a high temperature. In this case, damage to the lymph nodes and pharynx, spleen and liver is noted, and there is also a change in the composition of the blood. The disease was discovered in 1887 by N. F. Filatov and for a long time bore his name. Then the German scientist Ehrenfried Pfeiffer described a similardisease and named it glandular fever.
Later, American scientists T. Sprant and F. Evans studied changes in the composition of the blood and called the disease infectious mononucleosis. What is it in adults? As it turned out, its causative agent is the Epstein-Barr virus, named after the scientists who discovered it, and belongs to the herpes family. It can stay in the human body for a long time without showing itself. Infection occurs from a sick individual, including those with an erased form of the disease, or a carrier of the virus.
Mechanism of disease progression
Mononucleosis in adults - what is it? An infectious disease occurs when the pathogen, having entered the respiratory tract, affects the integument of the epithelium and the lymphoid structure of the oral cavity and pharynx. There is swelling of the mucous membranes, hypertrophy of the lymph nodes and tonsils. The infection invades B-lymphocytes and quickly spreads throughout the body. Atypical mononuclear cells (modified mononuclear cells) appear in the patient's blood.
There is an overgrowth of lymphoid and reticular tissue, which forms the basis of hematopoietic organs. Due to this, an increase in the spleen and liver occurs. In severe cases, necrosis of the lymphoid organs is possible, the formation of cellular elements in the tissues with an admixture of blood and lymph in the lungs, kidneys and other organs.
What contributes to the occurrence of pathology?
The cause of mononucleosis in adults is the Epstein-Barr virus, which is part of the herpes family. The source of the disease is a sick person with any forminfectious mononucleosis. The virus does not have much activity, so prolonged and close contact is required for infection. Main routes of infection for adults:
- Airborne - when sneezing and coughing, the virus, along with saliva, can get on the mucous membranes of another person.
- Contact household - kissing, using the same dishes and hygiene items.
- Sexual - the virus is present in all internal fluids, including semen.
- Blood transfusion, organ transplant, using one syringe for drug use.
It is noted that the virus quickly dies in the external environment, but lives in the body for life, integrating into the DNA of B-lymphocytes. Therefore, a person who has been ill develops stable immunity for life, and repeated attacks of the disease are the restoration of his viability with a decrease in the body's defenses.
Disease symptoms
The incubation period ranges from several days to one and a half months. Signs of mononucleosis in adults are as follows:
- The oral cavity and pharynx are affected. The palatine tonsils increase, which leads to difficulty breathing, hoarseness of the voice. In the first days of the disease, the tonsils are covered with a thick white coating. Nasal mucus discharge is not always present, but there is congestion in the nasal passages.
- Increased lymph nodes. They inflame on the neck, the back of the head on the elbows and intestines, but they remain mobile, not connecting with the underlying tissues.
- Temperature. There is a sharp rise to 39-40degrees.
- Enlarged spleen and liver. A week after the development of the disease, the organs reach their maximum size. In this case, yellowness of the skin and sclera of the eyes is sometimes observed. Organ enlargement lasts up to three months.
- Skin rashes. With the active development of the disease, a rash appears on the skin, similar to measles or scarlet fever. There are petechial hemorrhages in the oral cavity, in the palatine region.
- Disorders of the cardiovascular system. Possible tachycardia, systolic murmurs, and decreased heart sounds.
In the treatment of mononucleosis in adults, symptoms disappear after two to three weeks, but atypical mononuclear cells are still detected in the blood for a long time.
Clinical picture of the chronic course of the disease
Unlike the acute form, the disease is indolent and all symptoms are mild:
- The patient feels weakness, drowsiness, slight malaise, headaches.
- Temperature stays between 37.2-37.5 degrees.
- There are weak, aching and painful sensations in the throat. Purulent plugs leave lacunae with an unpleasant odor.
- Cervical and sublingual nodes are inflamed, pulling pain is felt when talking, turning the neck.
- Skin rashes in chronic mononucleosis in adults are minor, may be present on the neck, chest, arms and face.
- Nasal passages blocked, mucus secretion small.
- Slight enlargement of the liver and spleen is also present.
Signs of damage to the gastrointestinal tract and lungs are notobserved. After about a week, the symptoms of the disease disappear on their own, but the disease is not cured. Once in the body, the Epstein-Barr virus remains in it for life. At the same time, it makes itself felt as soon as the immune system is weakened, and each time manifesting itself in different ways.
Disease diagnosis
To detect viral mononucleosis in adults, making an accurate diagnosis, you need to visit a general practitioner who:
- During the conversation with the patient, he will collect an anamnesis of the disease - when it started, complaints, the nature of pain, general condition.
- Perform an external examination of the skin, throat, palpation of the lymph nodes, liver, spleen.
After the examination, laboratory tests will be required to clarify the preliminary diagnosis:
- CBC - detection of atypical mononuclear cells.
- Blood biochemistry will reveal the level of bilirubin.
- ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) diagnoses the Einstein virus - Barr.
- PCR (polymerase chain reaction) will determine the number of pathogen cells.
- The serological method will determine the presence of antibodies to the antigens of the Epstein virus - Barr.
The whole complex of research contributes to the detection of the disease and the diagnosis in order to begin treatment.
Pharmacotherapy of an infectious disease
In mild forms of the course of the disease, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis, and in severe cases, in the infectious diseases departments of the hospital. In the acute period, the patient must complybed rest, in addition, he is recommended to drink plenty of water: fruit drink, compote, tea and light diet meals. The following medications are used to treat the symptoms of mononucleosis in adults:
- Antipyretics - to normalize body temperature: Nimesulide, Ibuprofen.
- To maintain the immune system - "Interferon-alpha".
- Antiviral - activate the body's resistance to viruses: "Cycloferon", "Tiloron".
- Antibiotics - used if necessary to prevent bacterial infections: Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone.
- Glucocorticoids - prescribed for respiratory problems: Dexamethasone, Prednisone.
- Solutions for intravenous administration - reduce intoxication, make the patient feel better: "Dextrose", saline.
- Vitamin-mineral complexes - to restore the body.
The average duration of treatment is from two weeks to a month. After that, the patient stays at the dispensary for a year, undergoing laboratory monitoring of blood parameters every three months.
Mononucleosis in pregnant women
Often, illness in expectant mothers begins with a sharp rise in temperature, sore throat and inflammation of the lymph nodes. In this case, there is a general malaise, fatigue and drowsiness. In some cases, the symptoms are more pronounced. If any ailments appear, the woman in labor should contact the attending physician, who will conduct a full examination and prescribe treatment. It is known that infectious mononucleosis does not adversely affect the fetus, but complications are dangerous. There is no special treatment for this disease, so it will consist of rest, constant temperature control, compliance with the water regime and taking medications that alleviate the symptoms of the disease, which the doctor will prescribe. Vegetables, fruits, natural juices and vitamin complexes will help restore the immune system and cope with the disease faster.
If a pathology has overtaken a woman during pregnancy planning, then it is recommended to postpone conception until full recovery for six months or a year. The same restrictions apply to the future father.
Consequences of mononucleosis in adults
Usually, the disease develops predictably. The acute stage lasts from a week to three. Further, the patient's condition stabilizes: catarrhal symptoms disappear, lymph nodes decrease, tests normalize.
All the consequences of the disease that occur when the Epstein-Barr virus is affected are due to a sharp decrease in immunity. Complications differ in terms of manifestation, they occur both during the period of the disease or immediately after it, and manifest themselves in a later period. Despite the fact that the disease has a favorable outcome and rarely threatens life-threatening conditions, you need to know about them. Complications of mononucleosis in adults are as follows:
- Respiratory tract disease - upper airway obstruction, sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, otitis media.
- Meningitis –inflammation is accompanied by headache, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, incoordination.
- Hepatitis - yellowness of the skin and eyeballs appears.
- Myocarditis - damage to the heart muscle. There is pain in the heart, rhythm is disturbed, limbs swell.
- Jade is an inflammation of the kidneys. Characterized by lower back pain, weakness, fever.
- Rupture of the spleen - leads to internal bleeding, the patient has dizziness, sudden pain in the abdomen, fainting. Without urgent surgical intervention - the threat of death.
It is very important to notice signs of deterioration in he alth in time and consult a doctor in order to prevent serious consequences.
Diet food
Following a diet for mononucleosis in adults is very important. Patients are recommended table number 5, which excludes the use of smoked, spicy, fried, pickled and fatty foods. It is also advised to give up sweets, alcohol-containing drinks and coffee. The following recommendations will help restore the immune system and improve he alth:
- Eat small meals up to six times a day.
- Bouillon for first courses is prepared from lean meat or vegetables.
- For making cereals, use whole grains more often: brown rice, wheat and oats.
- Meat dishes can be steamed, baked in the oven or boiled using unleavened rabbit, turkey, chicken or veal meat.
- For fish dishes, buy pike, pike perch, cod, haddock, tuna.
- Pay special attention to vegetable dishes. Forcabbage, tomatoes, beans, broccoli, peppers, spinach and all leafy crops are suitable for their preparation.
- Fruits are essential for replenishing the body with vitamins, trace elements and fiber. Bananas, apples, strawberries and all citrus fruits are very useful.
- Drink more fluids: fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas, compotes, fruit drinks.
Proper nutrition will help maintain a stable state of he alth.
Mononucleosis in adults: reviews
Recovered individuals on the forums share their impressions of the disease. They note that viral mononucleosis:
- Manifesting symptoms of tonsillitis after a few days, complemented by a reddish rash that looks like an allergic reaction and discomfort in the liver. Only a visit to the doctor and the conducted research help to correctly identify the disease.
- It often begins with symptoms that usually accompany a sore throat: a sharp rise in temperature, a sore throat and severe weakness. Only a doctor diagnoses mononucleosis in adults whose blood tests contain atypical mononuclear cells.
- May recur from time to time, although no new infection occurs. The virus in those who have been ill remains in the body for life. When the immune system is weakened, the signs of the disease return.
- You can prevent disease by eating right, keeping fit and avoiding stressful situations.
In addition, everyone recommends when symptoms are not detecteddelay the visit to the doctor, because sometimes serious complications occur.
How to protect yourself from the Epstein-Barr virus?
In order to prevent mononucleosis in adults, it is important to strengthen the immune system and observe hygiene measures. For this you need:
- During the period of mass colds, avoid visiting crowded places.
- Use a mask when you go to the doctor's office.
- Do not have sex with casual partners.
- Eat right: eat more vegetables and fruits, use lean meat: chicken, turkey, veal, rabbit, eat fish and dairy products, drink natural juices, fruit drinks and compotes.
- Take multivitamins several times a year.
- Be outdoors more often, take long walks, engage in feasible sports and physical education. Pay special attention to swimming, cycling, Nordic walking.
Now you know what adult mononucleosis is. This is a serious illness, as a result of which the performance of important organs, especially the liver and spleen, suffers. It should be noted that specific preventive measures for its prevention have not been developed. To protect yourself, it is enough to follow general measures to prevent colds and direct all your efforts to strengthening the immune system.
