Epstein Barr virus in adults and children: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. What is dangerous mononucleosis for adults, children and pregnancy?

Many are carriers of the Epstein Barr virus, but few know what kind of body it is. Read about how it affects human health and how to treat the diseases caused by it.

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Doctors today manage to successfully treat infectious diseases because they take measures not only to eliminate the symptoms of the disease, but also to destroy the most pathogenic microorganism that provoked this disease. During various scientific studies, numerous pathogenic viruses, bacteria and fungi were identified. One of them is Epstein Barr virus.

Epstein virus - Barr is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis and other diseases, including oncological.

Epstein Barr virus - pathogen of infectious mononucleosis

Epstein Barr virus - Microorganism containing DNA, 4 type of human herpesviruses (Herpesviridae). He received a complex name in honor of scientists who opened it.

Important: pathogenic microorganism was discovered in Canada back in the 70s of the last century by scientists Michael Epstein and Ivna Barr.

But Epstein’s virus behaves a little differently than other human herpes human viruses: replicating in cells, including B-lymphocytes, it does not lead to their death, but, on the contrary, provokes the division and, accordingly, the growth of fabric.

Epstein - Barr contains specific antigens:

capsidal
nuclear
early
membrane

Important: outside the human body, Epstein virus is not persistent. He quickly dies under the straight rays of the sun. Will accelerate its death ultraviolet irradiation and disinfection

How is the Epstein Barr virus transmitted?

Epstein Barr virus is very contagious. The mononucleosis provoked by him is common throughout the world. According to statistics, 90% of youth people have immunity against this virus.

He is transmitted:

airborne droplets
through fluids of the human body (including saliva with a kiss, so mononucleosis has another name - “kissing disease”)
contact-household (through household items, children's toys, so on)
sexually
in the process of passing the child through the sexual paths of the mother during childbirth

Why is Epstein Barr virus dangerous?

If the infection of the VEB has occurred once, some of the pathogens of microorganisms are forever preserved in the human body.

When the WEB carrier is healthy, the viral disease is hidden in his and with weakly expressed symptoms.

If the immunity of an infected person is weakened, the virus is systematically striking:

epithelial cells of the mucous membranes (often tonsils, less often - trachea and bronchi)
epitheliocytes
neutrophils
macrophages
NK - cells
T - lymphocytes

Infectious mononucleosis, it is difficult to transfer to patients, difficult to treat. But he is not the only misfortune provoked by Epstein's virus - Barr. It can also cause even more serious diseases, for example, Berkitt lymphoma.

Important: Berkitt's lymphoma is a malignant disease of B-lymphocytes, which subsequently applies to bone marrow, spinal fluid and blood. It is diagnosed in children and youth more often than male in Africa and the USA. In Europe, cases of Berkitt's lymphoma are rare

Infectious mononucleosis itself is dangerous in that it is chronic and entailing:

relapses
the appearance of benign and malignant diseases (for example, nasopharynx carcinomas)
the appearance of autoimmune diseases (for example, red lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, others)

Important: After the infectious mononucleosis undergoed, some patients form chronic fatigue syndrome, which can manifest itself for months

Symptoms of Epstein Barr virus in adults and children

Symptoms of mononucleosis caused by VEB.

Usually, in adults and children, Epstein's infection is manifested in the form of mononucleosis.

The incubation period can be from 1 to 3 weeks.

In babies, due to the weakness of the immune system, mononucleosis starts acutely with:

temperature rise up to 38 - 40 degrees
significant increase in lymphaus
swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx
difficulties of nasal breathing
inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids
a raid on the tonsils
general weakness and malaise
violation of concentration

At first, mononucleosis is similar to sore throat with signs.

The virus has later manifestations:

5-7 days after the onset of the disease, following the increase in the lymph nodes, the liver and other internal organs increase. The patient begins to hurt the stomach. He can also begin jaundice
After the activation of the capsid antigen, the patient has a rash on the skin

As a rule, mononucleosis lasts 2-4 weeks. After recovery, a person for another six months - a year gives out viruses.

Video: Infectious mononucleosis - School of Dr. Komarovsky

Epstein Barr virus, diagnosis

Due to the lack of symptoms or their pipe, the early diagnosis of Epstein infection-the barre is impossible.
Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis, as well as an immunodeficiency state - an occasion to suspect infection with the virus. Its presence in the human body is confirmed by laboratory tests.

A blood test helps to identify the virus and antibodies to it.

Blood test shows:

leukocytosis (up to 20,000 μl-1 starting from 10 days from the onset of symptoms)
lymphocytosis (large irregularly formed lymphocytes, called atypical mononuclear, due to them, the disease is called mononucleosis)
mild neutropenia
mild thrombocytopenia

In the analysis by the PCR method in saliva and the patient’s blood, DNA of the Epstein virus is found.

Epstein Barr virus during pregnancy

As mentioned above, antibodies to the Epstein virus - the barre has in the blood of 9 out of 10 adults. This means that at the risk group of infection with this pathogens of only 1 out of 10 pregnant women.

The primary infection of the VEB during pregnancy threatens both the expectant mother and the baby.

Important: few people remember for certain what kind of childhood infections he was sick in the past. Therefore, at the stage of pregnancy planning or being already “in position”, it is recommended to take an analysis for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus and other viruses

If the primary infection still occurs during pregnancy, the virus in the woman’s body will behave depending on how strong her immunity is:

a healthy future mother will have no symptoms, or symptoms of SARS will appear
in a future mother with reduced immunity, infectious mononucleosis starts

In connection with the infection of the Epstein - Barr virus, the pregnant woman has the following risks:

spontaneous abortion
premature birth
fetal hypotrophy (up to 80% of pregnancies)
the defense of the central nervous system in the fetus (up to 30% of the pregnancies)
damage to the organs of vision (up to 10% of the pregnancies)
jaundice of newborns (up to 10% of pregnancies)
respiratory disorders in newborns (small percentage)

Antibodies to the Epstein Barr virus. Virus Norma Epstein Barr

It is recommended to take tests for antibodies to herpesvirus to everyone who plans pregnancy (men and women), as well as all pregnant women.

The result of the analysis for antibodies to the VEB.

IMPORTANT: The total immunophy -fluid analysis of antibodies to the 4th type of human herpes virus (VEB) includes the definition of antibodies to:

capsidal antigen (IgG and IgM antibodies)
nuclear antigen (IgG antibodies)
early Antigen (IGG antibodies)

The norm of the EB virus in different laboratories may differ, so it needs to be clarified by the laboratory assistant or look at the form.

How to treat Epstein's virus Barr medication?

The EB virus itself is treated, but its manifestation is infectious mononucleosis. Heal it symptomatically. Antiviral therapy is also used.

The patient is prescribed antiviral (acyclovir) and immunomodulating (Afluubin, Oscillococcinum) drugs
To normalize the temperature, antipyretics (ibuprofen, paracetamol) are prescribed)
Analgesics are prescribed to relieve painful syndrome
To calm down the throat mucosa, local antiseptics are prescribed (Septtefril, Ingalipt, others)
To increase resistance, the body is prescribed vitamins
If a secondary bacterial infection appears, antibiotics are prescribed
If, due to swollen the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and enlarged tonsils, a threat of strangulation arose, the patient is prescribed glucocorticosteroids

Ebstein's virus - Barr is treated comprehensively.

Important: mononucleosis gives complications on the liver and spleen. The patient is prescribed therapeutic diet No. 5, also restrictions in physical exertion (in order to avoid rupture of the spleen)

Folk treatment of the Epstein Barr virus

You can facilitate the manifestations of mononucleosis with the help of folk remedies.

When infection with the Epsheman virus - Barr is practiced supporting treatment with folk methods:

to rinse the inflamed throat - decoctions of chamomile, plantain, other herbs
to calm the mucosa - inhalation with essential oils
to increase immunity - tea with lemon, honey, ginger root, viburnum, rosehip decoction, ginseng tincture
to protect the liver - decoctions of yarrow, immortelle, chamomile
for pain relief of the lymph nodes and removing their swelling - ointments with coniferous essential oils, dog, goats and badger fat