It's not news that a weak immune system attracts all kinds of germs and diseases, but some of them may be present in our body and not bother us at all. This type of infection also includes the Epstein-Barr virus, which often resides in us in a latent form.
It is not easy to identify, because the initial symptoms resemble ordinary depression, which is why it is important to visit doctors regularly. Only a specialist will be able to distinguish: fatigue – is it a herpes microbe or a common autumn blues.
Today's topic from estet-portal.com will acquaint you in detail with the specifics of the disease, its manifestations and possible complications, methods of diagnosis and treatment.
Epstein-Barr virus: where did it come from and what is it
The disease takes its name from the English immunologist Michael Epstein and his graduate student Yvonne Barr, who studied the disease and described it back in 1964. Today, a latent infection is present in almost every inhabitant of the globe, including children from the first years of their life.
The disease refers to a number of type 4 herpes diseases that have a negative effect on the tissues of the immune system, inflammation is distinguished among them:
⦁ tonsils;
⦁ lymph nodes;
⦁ spleen;
⦁ liver;
⦁ adenoids.
The infection lives in the body permanently, but manifests itself after an illness that weakens the immune system.
Epstein Barr virus – ways of infection
After the body weakens, bacterial herpes begins its attack, and its greatest concentration falls on the oral cavity. Thus, the infection is easily transmitted through human saliva. But you should not hide from a passerby who sneezed 2 meters from you – it cannot cause infection.
But drinking from one cup leads directly to EBV. At the same time, the most common way of infection – kiss, because there saliva will surely do its job and the carrier of the disease in a pleasant way to share his infection.
Epstein Barr virus: possible reactions of the body
So, infection has occurred – what's next? Do not panic, because there are three types of reaction of our body to the presence of a microbe:
⦁ First, one of the best reactions – it is a battle with the bacterium until the very recovery. When present in the body, the disease does not cause any discomfort and does not manifest itself.
⦁ The second reaction is a little more complicated, since the infected person acts as a carrier of herpes and shares it through saliva, but feels great while doing so.
⦁ The worst reaction involves the development of infection, which entails the depletion of immunity and the formation of a number of diseases.
Main symptoms of Epstein-Barr virus
Unfortunately, as already mentioned, the symptoms are similar to ordinary depression, which reduces the likelihood of an early diagnosis of the disease. Feeling tired, unrested, exhausted even after sleep and vacation, what do we do? – More often we attribute everything to work, eternal running around, nerves and take a sedative or vitamins. But it is chronic fatigue – the main symptom of EBV, therefore it is better to visit a doctor as a reinsurance.
Severe symptoms that manifest themselves in this disease are:
⦁ fever;
⦁ pain in the throat;
⦁ skin rashes;
⦁ swollen lymph nodes;
⦁ fungal-type diseases.
The herpes virus is quite common, which increases its danger, because it is easy to get infected, but much more difficult to detect. The main symptom of infection – swollen lymph nodes and constant fatigue. The microbe is easily transmitted in the saliva of an infected patient.
In some cases, the disease may not manifest itself for decades, while in others – quickly turn into serious complications. This is precisely what the disease is dangerous for, among the most frequent complications are the following described options.
Infectious mononucleosis as a result of a virus
EBV is more common and manifests itself as infectious-type mononucleosis, especially in children, but fortunately it is treated, and the child develops immunity like after chickenpox. The symptoms of mononucleosis are the same as with EBV, but there is also difficulty in breathing. otitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia. Due to the weakening of the immune system until complete recovery and for some time after it, doctors recommend that adults follow a certain regimen, and for children – avoid overwork and contact with sick people.
Quite often, against the background of EBV, cancer progresses, among them Burkitt's lymphoma, which is the exit and reproduction of cancer cells outside the lymphatic system, which leads to infection of other human organs. With early diagnosis, the disease is curable.
Other cancers, like various kinds of malignant tumors, – not always a manifestation of infection, just a bacterium destroys the body, which contributes to the manifestation of cancer. But such ailments are not so common, especially if the patient consulted a doctor in time.
Despite the described secrecy, it is possible to determine the disease when examining the patient and after passing several types of routine tests:
⦁ a blood test makes it possible to identify the predominance of mononuclear cells over leukocytes, which indicates infection;
⦁ saliva analysis allows you to conduct polymer chain reaction, where the DNA of the disease is determined.
The spread of infection forces doctors to play it safe and prescribe tests for women who are planning pregnancy or are already in a position. Thus, you can check the expectant mother and prevent infection of the crumbs. In addition, the development of infection can affect the course of pregnancy and the development of the baby in the womb.
Unfortunately, no medicine has yet been invented that would cure the disease, the course of the disease depends entirely on the reaction of the body. But doctors use the treatment in combination to both alleviate the patient's condition and dull the bacterium.
Depending on the patient's condition and associated symptoms, they prescribe:
⦁ antipyretics with paracetamol or ibuprofen, if fever is present;
⦁ antibiotics when concomitant ailments – it is tonsillitis, otitis media or pneumonia;
⦁ chemotherapy in difficult cases when it comes to cancer;
⦁ interferon to eliminate microbial reproduction, etc. an infectious disease specialist and other doctors could observe.
Epstein Barr virus: infection prevention methods
Like any disease – VEB is better to prevent than to deal with its manifestations later. Since the main sign of infection – chronic fatigue, it is important to observe the measure both in physical and moral stress.
Doctors recommend adhering to the following principles in preventive measures:⦁ get more rest, especially when fatigue is already noticeable;
⦁ regularly take multivitamin complexes or provide a healthy diet;
⦁ exercise, not necessarily exhausting yourself with training, swimming in the pool or walking will be much more useful;
⦁ avoid stress and negative emotions.
Infection entails the development of serious diseases: mononucleosis and oncological diseases, but in some cases it may not manifest itself. Therapy in the fight against the disease is carried out comprehensively, taking into account the course of the virus, because there is no single cure.
Epstein Barr virus – a serious disease of the herpes type, which can be constantly present in the body, and manifest itself only when the immune system is weakened. To avoid the consequences and timely determine the disease, you should not self-medicate, and even more so self-diagnosis.
After all, for this there are qualified specialists who will prompt the right direction in therapy and can confirm or refute the diagnosis with the help of tests. Health – the main value of a person, so you should not joke with him.
Rest, good nutrition, moderate physical activity will prevent not only EBV, but also many other diseases, so let's set off on the path to a healthy lifestyle!
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