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The symptoms and treatment of Epstein-Barr children

Epstein-Barr (EBV) belongs to the herpesvirus 4 type; opened in 1964, researchers Yvonne Barr and Michael Epstein. He is considered a "relative" of cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus.

It is proved that the virus leads to the development of the most common infectious diseases. So, this micro-organism or antibodies to it today found in 80-100% of the total population, and the infection occurs mainly in childhood. It should be noted that when infected by EBV it remains forever in the human body.

The problem of Epstein-Barr is very important, as this microorganism can cause the following diseases:

  • infectious mononucleosis;
  • autoimmune diseases (systemic red lupus, arthritis, and many others);
  • malignant neoplasms (infomobility, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, many types of cancerous conditions);
  • the chronic fatigue syndrome.

The transmission of the disease in children contact-household, airborne. Also the possible transmission of EBV mother-to-child (vertical transmission) and through blood transfusion. The vertical route of infection is most common during the development of the disease at an early age.

Infectious mononucleosis as the main companion VEB

Epstein-Barr, especially if children are infected, in most cases, may lead to the development of infectious mononucleosis (Filatov's disease). Many kids have the disease is completely asymptomatic. However, its danger is that it can lead to serious complications if the child has a lowered immunity, for example, there may be problems with the liver and spleen, and respiratory system.

The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, and teenagers often catch them kissing (which is why the disease is often called the "disease of students").

This virus characteristic clinical manifestations according to the type of colds, so it's often just not diagnosed. The symptoms of infectious mononucleosis in children include the following States:

  • fatigue;
  • significant swelling of the lymph nodes in the throat;
  • nasal congestion;
  • sore throat;
  • chills;
  • hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the oropharynx;
  • pain in the abdomen;
  • temperature (rarely observed).

Вирус Эпштейна-Барр на иллюстрации

The duration of the disease caused by EBV, can vary from a couple of days to a month. It is also worth noting that the disease can be easily confused with angina, diphtheria, and others, as they have similar symptoms.

For the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis it is necessary to conductblood tests for the presence of mononuclear cells, is also used PCR diagnostics based on DNA isolation of the pathogen. In this case, as a biomaterial for the study is saliva.

Treatment is mainly symptomatic. If the child has a good immune system, the disease resolves on its own. Mostly children are in need of detoxification and restorative therapy. Because of the severe fatigue sick kids in need of a long sleep.

When complications of the disease can be used antiviral drugs, for example, "interferon" or "Acyclovir", but their use is not always gives a positive effect.

To treat hyperthermia use antipyretics drugs based on acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and cough with syndrome – drugs that correspond to type of cough (dry or wet).

In the absence of bacterial complications, antibiotic use is eliminated. It is also necessary to use drugs that improve the immune system (e.g., inductors production of interferon, which include "Cycloferon" and "Arbidol") and to recommend that patients taking vitamins. Specific treatment of this disease does not exist today. In most cases the prognosis is favorable.

Other diseases caused by a virus

If a person suffers from immunodeficiency (e.g., AIDS, as well as during use of immunosuppressors in organ transplants), may develop lymphoproliferative syndrome. In this disease body is unable to cope with other infectious agents. Therefore, people with immune deficiencies who become infected with EBV, often die immediately.

Hairy leukoplakia of the mouth, characterized by formation of whitish plaques on the buccal mucosa, which contains the virus, is considered to be one of the first manifestations of HIV infection.

While chronic fatigue syndrome has a high fatigue during long months. Mostly this condition is found in children and adults who have recently been ill with infectious mononucleosis.

Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma are also the most frequent oncological complications of Contracting the virus. Moreover, EBV can lead to the development of many other malignant diseases, for example, antigens of the virus are detected in gastric cancer, lymphoma of the Central nervous system, cancer of the tonsils, etc.

The treatment of these diseases is symptomatic and requires a strictly individual approach, and additional laboratory tests.