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Hugging, kissing, sharing your personal items (such as toys or things in common use) is natural for all of us, but it is even more so for children. It is they who, taking their first steps into the world, want to discover everything that surrounds them and to do so, what better “sense” than that of touch? However, the direct contact with the saliva of others or even the indirect one with clothing / objects, they can cause the transmission of bacteria and viruses.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) for example, it is directly responsible for mononucleosis, more commonly defined “kissing disease“. It is a very common disease of an infectious nature, whose contagion occurs through the saliva and the sharing personal items.
So what are the symptoms of mononucleosis and how can we prevent it? We deepened the subject with the Doctor Pilar Nannini, Pediatrician.
What’s this
“Mononucleosis is one infectious disease which is transmitted through saliva, for this reason it is also known as kissing disease. Transmission occurs via droplets that are dispersed through coughing, sneezing, or using contaminated items such as toys, cutlery, glasses and plates.
The disease can strike at any age, but is more common in early childhood and adolescence.
The name derives from the stimulus of the virus to the production of white blood cells, in particular of monocytes (monoculeate cells), usually present in small numbers », explains the doctor.
What are the symptoms in children
«In children, mononucleosis can present itself with even mild and fleeting symptoms, but, in a considerable percentage of children, it manifests itself with important symptoms how:
- persistent high fever;
- swollen and very painful lymph nodes;
- severe sore throat with enlarged tonsils that often have yellowish-white exudate (so-called plaques);
- increase in the size of the spleen and liver;
- widespread rash;
- headache;
- articolar pains;
- lack of appetite.
Symptoms can last two to four weeks, even if the tiredness can persist for longer », continues Dr. Nannini.
What are the symptoms in adults
«In adults, the incubation period it is rather long, that is from 30 to 50 days, much shorter than that of children which is instead of 10 days-two weeks. Manifests with malaise, fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, headache, widespread muscle aches and sweating.
Also in adults there is theenlargement of the spleen and lymph nodes which can also be very painful and the tonsils particularly inflamed », specifies the expert.
There diagnosis of mononucleosis takes place following a medical examination in which the symptoms manifested are examined. Further confirmation can come from the performance of blood tests, to detect the presence of anti-EBV IgM antibodies.
Causes
‘The causative agent of mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus. THE symptoms they are of general malaise, fatigue, lack of appetite, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, liver and spleen ».
The disease, and consequently the manifestation of symptoms, are caused by the action of this microorganism belonging to the herpesvirus family. It has a rather variable incubation period (sometimes even long) in which the subject, even if asymptomatic, it can infect others.
What are the remedies
“Being a viral disease, yes resolves spontaneously, without the aid of antibiotics. The latter must instead be taken into account in case of bacterial infectious complications. The treatment is therefore symptomatic, aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms: antipyretic or anti-inflammatory, alongside adequate hydration. Occasionally, the use of corticosteroids may be necessary, especially in connection with enlarged tonsils. It is also important observe rest, especially if the patient has an enlarged spleen because he is at greater risk of rupturing the spleen.
The infection has benign outcome in most cases and healing occurs between two and eight weeks. In a very small percentage it can lead to complications such as hepatitis, myocarditis, haemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, Guillain Barrè syndrome, meningitis or encephalitis ».
Prevention
«Prevention is based on compliance with basic hygiene rules, how to avoid exchanging cutlery, glasses, bottles of water, food with other people, who, still not completely symptomatic or asymptomatic, could instead be in the incubation phase and therefore soon develop the full-blown disease “, concludes the expert .
In general, therefore, mononucleosis is an infectious disease that can be treated by observing a period of rest and following the therapy indicated by the doctor. You can prevent it by washing your hands often and avoiding coming into contact with infected objects and / or people.
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