Pus Disease, Ie Mononucleosis In A Child
Mononucleosis, also called pus disease, is a fever caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that can affect both children and adults. Despite its sweet nickname, the symptoms of the disease are anything but pleasant.
In adults, mononucleosis is usually associated with tonsillitis, enlarged lymph nodes, and asymptomatic hepatitis, while in young children, the only symptoms are often fever and enlarged neck lymph nodes. As a result, many children remain undiagnosed in many children.
Almost all Finns become infected with the Epstein-Barr virus during their lifetime, and half of the people become infected before the age of five. Another lively period of infection is young adulthood, when, for example, kissing spreads the virus, to which the name of the disease also refers.
Infection of mononucleosis
Mononucleosis is a disease that does not spread as easily as the flu. However, it is a virus that affects the lymph nodes, throat, salivary glands, liver and spleen.
Pus disease is not a whimsical disease, so it is worth knowing how to prevent it. This will help protect your children from this nasty problem.
The following are the main ways in which mononucleosis can spread from one person to another:
- The most significant way mononucleosis is spread is through saliva. Therefore, you should not let anyone kiss your children. In addition, children should not share meals with others. The same goes for toys that are put in the mouth and, of course, dental hygiene products such as toothbrushes.
- Sharing a pillow with someone with this disease will probably cause an infection.
- If a child is exposed to the coughing or sneezing of an infected person, this too can spread the virus.
Main symptoms of mononucleosis
If you can easily recognize the symptoms of mononucleosis, you will be better able to respond appropriately if your child becomes infected. Here are the main symptoms:
- Very high fever.
- Sore and swollen throat.
- Swelling and pain in the glands of the neck.
- Muscle pain and exhaustion.
- Coughing and runny nose.
- Swelling of the eyelids.
- Increase in spleen size (however, this can only be determined by an expert).
- Headache, loss of appetite and general discomfort.
Treatment of a child with mononucleosis
There is no real cure for mononucleosis, as antibiotics are not effective in the case of a disease caused by a virus.
The full process of this virus takes a long time, and it usually disappears about four weeks after the symptoms first appear.
It is still best to try to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by the symptoms so that I can improve the mood of the sick child.
We recommend the following:
- Keep your child hydrated at all times to reduce sore throat.
- Make your child gargle with salt water. Make sure he keeps your dental hygiene good, and help with this if necessary.
- If your child’s doctor recommends ibuprofen, make sure your child takes the drug on schedule. Give him just the recommended dose of the drug.
- Your child should rest and relax as much as possible so that your body can better fight the infection.
- Try to reduce your child’s fever if it occurs.
- You should avoid letting him move a lot. This is especially important if the child’s spleen is swollen to prevent the organ from rupturing.
- The swelling a child has will make it difficult to swallow solid foods, as will hot liquids and foods. Instead, give your child soft and cool foods such as dairy products, hand-warm purees, juices, yogurt, and the like.
- Keep your child away from places where there is smoke, as it can further irritate the throat.
- Disinfect often. Pacifiers, toys, drinking ticks and any other objects that a child puts in their mouths should be disinfected. Otherwise, the virus can survive for several hours in these objects, and thus it can spread to other people.
How long does mononucleosis last?
The duration of this disease will depend on the ability of the human body to defend itself against the virus.
First, you should understand that the sufferer may be asymptomatic for up to seven weeks after infection. In other words, the germination time is very long.
When the symptoms then appear in your child, you can assume that the mononucleosis will last for another 2-4 weeks, although each case is different.
What else do you need to know about mononucleosis?
In very rare cases, mononucleosis can cause complications, so you should be careful with the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in the upper abdomen on the left side
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurred vision
- Fainting
If your child has any of these symptoms, get medical help right away.
Last but not least, it is important to be aware that when a person gets this virus, it will be in his or her body for the rest of his or her life. However, don’t worry! This does not mean that the symptoms will last forever. The virus will be in your child’s body, but it will no longer cause symptoms as the disease progresses.
When it comes to spreading the disease, your child will not be infected for the rest of their lives. However, a person who has had mononucleosis will need to be careful a full year after becoming infected so that the virus does not spread to others.