Check what the symptoms of mononucleosis are. Only 20 percent of patients have clear symptoms. The symptoms of mononucleosis initially resemble a cold. In children, this disease is sometimes confused with angina. It should be remembered that mononucleosis often does not give any symptoms and then the best solution is to have a blood test.

Mononucleosisis a viral disease. The firstsymptoms of mononucleosisresemble a cold - sore throat, feeling broken, headache. Sometimes it goes undiagnosed at all. Patients suffering from mononucleosis struggle with weakness and malaise or a prolonged fever.

Symptoms of mononucleosis

A fever that lasts for several days and in more difficult cases even up to several weeks. Malaise, chills and increased thirst before the onset of fever are also characteristic. There is also a sore throat caused by inflammation of the palatine tonsils. The pharyngeal mucosa is bloodshot and swollen, making it difficult to swallow or even speak (the patient speaks through his nose). The tonsils are enlarged and covered with a white-gray coating. The lymph nodes in the neck are also enlarged, hard and painful. Patients suffer from conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting may occur. Some patients (about 10%) develop a rash with mononucleosis. Fine and non-itchy is a sign of mononucleosis. If the rash is very red, clear and itchy - most likely it is the result of a misdiagnosis (mononucleosis is mistaken for strep throat) and administration of antibiotics that trigger a skin reaction.

Symptoms of mononucleosis detected in a medical examination

A careful examination will reveal symptoms of mononucleosis that are not visible to the naked eye. The spleen (the organ in the left hypochondrium responsible for the production of immunoglobulins and the removal of damaged or defective red and white blood cells and platelets) is enlarged. The liver is also enlarged, sometimes quite significantly.

How to diagnose Mononucleosis?

Laboratory tests that allow you to make a diagnosis are:

  • blood count - the test results show an increase in the amount of WBC or leukocytes (white blood cells); blood count with smear shows increased among white blood cellsthe percentage of lymphocytes and the presence of lymphomonocytes; there may also be a reduction in the number of platelets
  • liver enzymes (transaminases - AST and ALT) are often elevated in mononucleosis
  • antibodies against EBV - are the immune system's response to the invasion of the virus - after about 2-3 weeks, IgM antibodies against the EBV virus appear in the blood, indicating a fresh infection; the presence of IgG antibodies against the EBV virus indicates that the infection took place in the past
  • detection of EBV by PCR - the qualitative method allows you to determine whether the virus is present in the blood, the quantitative method allows you to assess the amount of virus particles in a given blood volume

The disease is treated with painkillers, antipyretics and vitamin preparations. In more severe cases, corticosteroids are used.

Category:

Infectious diseases