Mononucleosis: the most effective dietary supplements

Infectious mononucleosis, often nicknamed "the kissing disease", is an acute viral condition caused mainly by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the Herpesviridae family. It is transmitted through saliva, and more rarely by contaminated objects or blood transfusions. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), another virus of the same family, can also produce a similar clinical picture, although it generally affects immunocompromised individuals.

Symptoms

• Fever : often persistent and of moderate to high intensity. • Pharyngitis : sore throat with inflammation of the tonsils, sometimes accompanied by a white exudate. • Cervical lymphadenopathy : bilateral swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, tender to the touch. • Fatigue : a profound sense of tiredness and exhaustion that can persist for several weeks after other symptoms have resolved. • Splenomegaly : enlargement of the spleen, detectable on clinical examination in about 50% of patients. • Hepatomegaly : in some cases, the liver may also be enlarged, although less common than splenomegaly. • Other symptoms : headache, loss of appetite, muscle aches, and sometimes a skin rash after taking antibiotics.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis is based on several elements : • Clinical examination : identification of typical symptoms such as fever, pharyngitis, and cervical lymphadenopathy. • Blood tests : the presence of atypical lymphocytes in the blood is a key sign of the infection. A lymphocytosis with more than 50% lymphocytes and more than 10% atypical lymphocytes is often observed. • Serologic tests : the Monospot test detects heterophile antibodies, which are present in about 85-95% of IM cases in adolescents. For a more specific diagnosis, serologic tests detecting antibodies against the viral capsid antigen (VCA) and the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) can be used.

Complications

Although infectious mononucleosis is generally benign, certain complications can occur : • Hemolytic anemia : destruction of red blood cells. • Thrombocytopenia : decreased platelets, increasing the risk of bleeding. • Aplastic anemia (rare) : suppression of blood cell production. • Meningitis or meningoencephalitis : inflammation of the meninges or the brain. • Guillain-Barré syndrome : autoimmune involvement of peripheral nerves. • Cranial nerve palsies, notably of the facial nerve. • Hepatitis : often mild but sometimes associated with jaundice. • Rupture of the spleen : a rare but serious surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention. • EBV is involved in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis. Its oncogenic role is also well established in diseases such as Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Treatments

The treatment of infectious mononucleosis is mainly symptomatic : • Rest : it is crucial to get enough rest to allow the body to fight the infection. • Hydration : drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. • Antipyretics and analgesics : such as acetaminophen to manage fever and pain. • Avoid contact sports : to prevent splenic rupture in cases of splenomegaly. • Corticosteroids : may be prescribed in cases of severe complications such as airway obstruction or severe neurologic complications.