Mononucleosis is an infection that causes symptoms similar to influenza and generally resolved spontaneously within a few weeks with the help of rest and plenty of fluids.

Usually, mononucleosis is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a widespread virus that is exposed to the majority of children during the growth process. Infants and young children infected with EBV usually have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. But teens and young adults who become infected often develop mono.

Mononucleosis is spread through kissing, coughing, sneezing or any contact with the saliva of a person infected with the virus. (Thus, mononucleosis is known colloquially as “the kissing disease”). Can also be spread through other types of direct contact such as sharing straws, utensils or any other utensils for eating or drinking.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mononucleosis is often mistaken for flu or strep throat from. It is advisable that you call the doctor if your child has a fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpits and / or English), and fatigue and / or weakness continued and inexplicable.

Other symptoms that may be present in mononucleosis are:

* Headache
* Muscle pain
* Thickening of the liver and spleen
* Rashes
* Abdominal pain

Children and adolescents with mononucleosis may have different combinations of these symptoms, and some have symptoms so mild that they hardly notice. The doctor will probably ask your child to do a blood test to definitively diagnose.

Usually the symptoms of mononucleosis disappear spontaneously within a timeframe of 2 to 4 weeks, although swelling of the lymph nodes and enlargement of the spleen can last longer. Some children, especially adolescents, have a weakness and fatigue for months.

Doctors usually advise children who have just passed the mononucleosis that do not participate in sports at least a month after remission of symptoms because they may still have the swollen spleen. A swollen spleen as a result of mononucleosis can break easily, causing internal bleeding, fever and abdominal pain, requiring emergency surgery.

Complications of mononucleosis

Most children who get mononucleosis recover completely without problems, but in rare cases, complications can occur. These include blood disorders such as hemolytic anemia, involving a reduction of the increased number of red cells, and Bell’s palsy, an inflammation of the facial nerve that can weaken or paralyze the facial muscles (usually temporary but ).

Other rare complications of mononucleosis include rupture of the spleen and heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis).

Prevention and treatment

There is no vaccine against Epstein-Barr virus, but you can help your child to not sure mononucleosis avoiding close contact with other children with this disease.

The best treatment for mononucleosis is plenty of rest, especially early in the disease when symptoms are most intense. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and relieve muscle pain. Remember, never give aspirin or any medicine containing aspirin to a child who has a viral illness because this use has been associated with Reye syndrome, which can cause liver failure, sometimes ending in death.

In most cases, symptoms of mononucleosis resolve spontaneously within weeks with rest and plenty of fluids. If symptoms do not appear to transmit and / or you have any questions or there is something he worries about the health of your child, call your child’s pediatrician.