The allergist called the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis is an acute viral disease, usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) from the herpesvirus family, which affects cells of the immune system, in particular B lymphocytes. On October 10, Izvestia was told about how to recognize and treat infectious mononucleosis by an allergist, immunologist, rheumatologist, and general practitioner at the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory (KDC) of the NCC No. 2 of the Russian National Research Medical Center. academician B.V. Petrovsky" Elena Sycheva.

When the virus enters the body, a powerful activation of the immune system is triggered, which leads to an increase in the lymph nodes, liver and spleen. In addition, the fight against the virus requires significant energy consumption, which explains the main symptom of the disease — severe fatigue, which exhausts a person for weeks. Another feature is the possible depletion of the immune system, which makes the body more vulnerable to other infections after recovery.

"The classic triad of symptoms includes: fever (often prolonged and high); tonsillitis and pharyngitis — severe sore throat, characteristic white patches often appear on the tonsils; enlarged lymph nodes (neck, occiput, submandibular). Enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly) is also characteristic," the doctor said.

Other common symptoms, she says, include swelling of the face and eyelids, skin rashes (especially if penicillin antibiotics are prescribed incorrectly), decreased appetite, and headaches.

Sycheva noted that the Epstein-Barr virus is transmitted by airborne droplets and household contact - through saliva. That is why infectious mononucleosis is often referred to as the "kissing disease." Infection is possible through common items such as dishes, towels, and toys.

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The allergist drew attention to the fact that a weakened immune system can lead to a more severe and prolonged course of the disease. Conditions such as stress, overwork, or other infectious diseases can weaken the body's defenses, making it more difficult to fight the virus. The presence of other chronic infections, including herpes viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), can also aggravate the clinical picture.

It is important to remember that the treatment of infectious mononucleosis requires a special approach.

"Complete rest and a gentle regime, plenty of warm drinks to relieve intoxication, antipyretics based on ibuprofen or paracetamol, local antiseptics for the throat (rinses, sprays), hepatoprotectors (as prescribed by a doctor) to support the liver. Sometimes, in severe cases, a doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs (based on acyclovir), but their effectiveness in mononucleosis is still a matter of debate," the specialist said.

She concluded that infectious mononucleosis is a serious viral "immune storm" in the body. His main treatment is not pills, but time and rest. If symptoms appear, be sure to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis (it is confirmed by a blood test) and do not self-medicate.

On October 2, Associate Professor Ekaterina Bankovskaya and PNRPU Professor Oleg Dolgikh spoke about the need for vaccination. Classical live attenuated vaccines copy natural infection, forming long—term protection at two levels - antibody and cellular. Inactivated vaccinations are safe for vulnerable patients, but they often need to be revaccinated because the killed virus does not enter cells and does not create a stable immune response. Vector vaccines use a harmless carrier virus to deliver a gene fragment of a pathogen, forcing the immune system to respond without risk of infection.

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