The mononucleosis it’s a infectious disease quite common, affecting most people, especially in the West between adolescence and 30 years of age (but not only). It is an infection caused by a herpes virusthat of Epstein-Barr (EBV)can be almost completely asymptomatic or present itself as a flu-like syndrome.
What are the symptoms of mononucleosis and how is the virus transmitted? We talk about it with two specialists from the IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Rozzano: Dr. David Bavaroinfectious disease specialist, and professor Alessio AghemoHead of Hepatology.
Mononucleosis: what are the symptoms?
Mononucleosis is often asymptomaticotherwise it manifests itself with mild and transient symptoms, such as for example:
- weakness
- tiredness
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes and spleen.
The infection can last from one to two weeks to a month, to promote healing and avoid the symptoms from prolonging, it is good to rest and follow the indications provided by the doctor.
Is it dangerous and how do you get infected?
Mono rarely causes complications, but when they do occur they can be potentially serious, including:
- hepatitis
- hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia
- myocarditis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- meningitis
- encephalitis
- splenomegaly e rupture of the spleen
- bacterial superinfections.
A spy of the liver disorders it is generally the change in skin colorwhich in these cases tends towards yellow (jaundice), while the rupture of the spleen causes symptoms such as sharp pain in the left abdominal area and severe weakness generalized. In particular, the rupture of the spleen causes internal bleeding, requiring immediate access to the emergency room and emergency surgery.
Mononucleosis has a time of incubation period ranging from 30 to 50 daysThe primary source of transmission of mononucleosis is saliva: the disease can therefore spread from an infected person to a non-infected person through kisses on the mouth, shared use of dishes, toothbrushes and personal hygiene tools, shared use of toys if we are talking about children. Also, be careful of the droplets of saliva that disperse in the air when you talk or cough: being in close contact with a person with mononucleosis, especially indoors, can lead to airborne transmission of the virus.
Although, therefore, it is a pathology that is rather difficult to avoid, especially due to the diffusion of saliva particles in the air which cannot always be avoided (especially if the infected person does not know they are infected), there are some good practices which can be implemented to reduce the chances of contagion. Avoid sharing dishes and cutlery both at home and outside the home, can be important to contain the spread of the virus, as well as not sharing personal hygiene items. People who, however, present symptoms attributable to mononucleosis should consult their general practitioner, undergo the tests necessary for diagnosis, and avoid frequenting places where the virus could spread (for example, schools or offices).
It is also important to remember that the virus is shed through saliva for many months after infection. People who have contracted the infection during their lives periodically shed virus capable of infecting even if asymptomatic: this is why the infection is extremely widespread in the human population.
How to treat it and how long it lasts
Mononucleosis is not treated with a specific therapy but tends to resolve naturally. They can be useful for managing symptoms anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs.
In some cases it may be indicated corticosteroid therapy to reduce inflammation and promote resolution of symptoms. Antibiotic therapy is rarely necessary to treat bacterial superinfections.
Inflammation of the liver resolves spontaneously without leaving permanent damage. In the presence of spleen involvement, to avoid the risk of rupture, it is important limit physical effort and abdominal trauma until resolution of splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen) verified by ultrasound.
Source: www.humanitas.it
