Mononucleosis In Children
Mononucleosis in children under 15 years of age is not very common, but it can occur occasionally. The usual thing is that this disease occurs in people who are in a range between 15 and 25 years , although appearances outside that interval are not ruled out .
Since it is an infectious disease, It is not easy to stop the spread of mononucleosis in children, especially if they are young. This pathology can appear from 6 months of age, although it is more serious if it is contracted by an adolescent or an adult.
What is mononucleosis in children?
It is an infectious disease, almost always benign, that resolves on its own . It generally affects school-age children, adolescents, and young adults. Mononucleosis in preschool children is not very common, and if it does occur, it rarely has symptoms.
It is estimated that 95% of adults between the ages of 35 and 40 have already been infected with this disease at some point in your life. Some do not even know it, since asymptomatic forms exist and go unnoticed. However, the virus remains in the body in a dormant state.
Mononucleosis in children is more prevalent in regions where hygiene conditions are poor, which favors the spread of the infectious agent. The usual thing is that it is suffered only once in a lifetime. Nonetheless, the virus can be reactivated, particularly in transplant patients .
How is it contracted?
Mononucleosis is also known as the kissing disease. Although a kiss can be a route of contagion, it is not always transmitted in this way. Like other viral diseases, it is spread through saliva.
This means that coughing, sneezing, and generally close contact facilitate transmission. Objects containing saliva they can also infect. Children tend to share straws, water bottles, and food, which is a risk factor.
Mononucleosis is caused, in 90% of cases, by the Epstein-Barr virus . 7% of infections are caused by cytomegalovirus . The origin, in the remaining percentage, is the Toxoplasma gondii .
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) belongs to the same family as herpes, and as often happens with this type of microorganism, it can remain in the body for a long time in a state of latency, without causing any symptoms. However, an asymptomatic person can spread the disease .
Manifestations of mononucleosis in children
It is very rare for a young child to have symptoms of the disease , or that these are severe. If there are manifestations, the most common are the following:
- Fever .
- Throat pain.
- White patches on the back of the pharynx.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin, and armpit.
- Feeling tired or fatigued .
On some occasions, such symptoms may be accompanied by other such as chills, headache, swollen eyelids, inflammation of the liver and spleen. In the long term, anemia is a more symptomatic complication derived from infection.
Mononucleosis in children can lead to very severe complications, but this happens rarely. It may cause meningitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, myocarditis, thrombocytopenia, and orchitis. On very rare occasions it causes liver failure.
What to do before the diagnosis?
There are no specific vaccines or medications to treat mononucleosis. Therefore, treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms .
Typically, the disease resolves on its own in three to four weeks. Some symptoms such as fatigue and fever may remain for another week.
The doctor will indicate which drugs should be given to the child. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories are usually given . If complications arise, corticosteroids may also be prescribed, depending on the case.
The best thing is to apply isolation measures for the child, keep him well hydrated and at rest , especially in the acute phase of the disease. Contact sports and physical activity should be avoided for at least three weeks.
