Mononucleosis: definition and symptoms
Infectious mononucleosis is a viral disease caused by EBV, a member of the herpesvirus family. The pathogen remains in the body after primary infection, i.e., after the first encounter with the antigen, when the immune response is still non-existent. The age group most affected is 15-24. The incubation period is 4-6 weeks, after which the first symptoms appear, including:
- extreme fatigue
- high fever (over 39.5°C)
- sore throat and difficulty swallowing
- inflamed tonsils, sometimes with white patches
- swollen lymph nodes
- abnormally enlarged spleen and/or liver
- loss of appetite
Mononucleosis in adults: diagnosis and treatment
Mononucleosis can be detected by a blood test, or by measuring levels of EBV-specific antibodies. These tests can reveal current or previous infection, and provide information on the state of progression of the disease. The symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are identical to those of other diseases, such as streptococcal pharyngitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and influenza, which is why a precise clinical examination is so important. As this is a viral infection, no antibiotic treatment is effective against this disease.
In adults, symptoms can be more virulent, with an increased risk of complications. Some suffer chronic fatigue, while others experience mild, often transient, hepatitis. In rare cases, mononucleosis can cause a ruptured spleen, anemia or neurological disorders.
In case of doubt, contact your doctor or a specialist for a precise diagnosis and treatment adapted to your state of health.
To relieve symptoms, your doctor may recommend rest, good hydration, and antipyretic and analgesic drugs to treat fever and pain. Physical activities that strain the spleen should be avoided.
How long does it take to recover from mononucleosis?
In general, mononucleosis disappears after 2 or 3 weeks, leaving no particular after-effects. Once cured, the patient develops permanent immunity to infectious mononucleosis (recurrence is rare). In some cases, however, it can persist over a longer period, becoming very disabling for the sufferer, who finds it difficult to get to school or work. Persistent fatigue eventually has a considerable impact on performance and productivity. The course of the disease therefore depends on the severity of symptoms and the patient's general state of health.
Mononucleosis in infants
In infants and young children, mononucleosis is often asymptomatic or manifests itself with mild symptoms similar to those of a cold, such as:
- moderate fever
- mild fatigue
- nasal congestion
The incubation period is often shorter than in adults. Because symptoms are mild, mononucleosis in infants often goes undetected and requires no specific treatment.
Our advice: to relieve your child's sore throat and fever (if it exceeds 38.5°C), you can administer paracetamol (check the dosage according to your child's age and weight). Sore throats can also be treated locally with analgesics in spray or lozenge form.
When should you consult your paediatrician?
If you're concerned about your child's condition, have difficulty breathing or feel pain in the spleen (stomach ache in the upper left-hand corner), contact your doctor or pediatric emergency room immediately. If your child has had difficulty swallowing or is not drinking enough fluids for more than 24 hours, you should also seek medical advice, even if the fever has lasted more than 10 days.
How can I prevent contagion?
Mononucleosis is transmitted mainly through direct contact with the saliva droplets of an infected person (kissing, sneezing, etc.). ), but there are also other means of transmission:
- sharing utensils: eating with the same cutlery, drinking from the same glass
- contact with contaminated objects, such as toys or toothbrushes
- blood transfusion or organ transplantation (rare case)
An asymptomatic person, or one who has recovered from the disease, can also transmit the Epstein-Barr virus, making it difficult to prevent mononucleosis.
Conclusion
Infectious mononucleosis is a widespread but benign viral disease. Its severe form can lead to persistent fatigue, with consequences for daily life and tasks. To date, there is no known cure for the disease.