Viral inflammation of the oropharynx to a typical bacterial angina has no relation. The initial symptoms may be similar, but the treatment is assigned differently. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, it is dangerous to treat these drugs with viruses.
In nature, there are several millions of all kinds of viruses, but only five thousand of them are described in detail, which indicates relatively small achievements in the field of virology. Because of this, the emphasis in treatment is on vaccination and symptomatic therapy.
Monocyte angina
Synonyms of the disease:
- Filatova's disease.
- Benign lymphoblastosis.
- Infectious mononucleosis.
The causative agent of the disease is the herpes simplex Epstein-Barr virus, named after the scientists who discovered it. It activates the multiplication of cells affected by it, other herpes viruses cause their death.
In the external environment, this pathogen quickly dies, exposure to high temperatures and chemicals to maintain sanitary standards also causes its death.
The pathological process affects the tonsils, lymph nodes, circulatory system, liver and spleen.
The incubation period lasts from one week to 20 days.
For fungal oropharyngeal lesions, stunted symptomatology with a mild inflammatory process is characteristic. In contrast, viral infections are acute.
What is the Epstein-Barr virus and how dangerous it is, see in our video:
Causes of the disease
- Increased activity of its own pathogenic microflora on the background of decreased immunity.
- Transmission of an agent from a sick person.
Epidemic monocytic angina does not cause, but infection can still occur with close contact with the sick person( use of other hygiene means, blood transfusions, kisses, trips in public transport).
Provoking factors, risk group
Increased morbidity is observed in adolescence. By the age of thirty, as a rule, people are resistant to this infection. After 40 years, cases of infection are extremely rare, exceptions are HIV-infected patients.
Children are most often infected with this virus in kindergarten, where a large concentration of children provokes constant close contact between them.
The provoking factors also include:
- Subcooling.
- Treatment of infectious diseases.
- The period of remission.
- Non-compliance with hygiene.
- Avitaminosis.
- Chronic diseases of ENT organs.
- Depletion.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Stressful situations.
The causes of monocytic tonsillitis are described by Dr. Komarovsky:
Symptoms and signs
General
Symptomatic symptomatology typical for this disease can be manifested in a complex or selectively:
- Misfortune.
- Migraine.
- Runny nose.
- Increased glands, reddening of the okolobloccal tissues.
- Painful sensations in muscles and joints.
- Temperature rise( observed from several days to a month).Swallowing is complicated by a sore throat.
- Lymph nodes are enlarged( their soreness is poorly expressed).
- Joining a simple herpes simplex virus infection.
After about a week, the most severe stage of the disease comes:
- A sharp deterioration in general condition.
- Toxicosis.
- Enlarged liver and spleen.
- Signs of mixed bacterial infection may appear in the throat.
- Formation of a yellowish coating on the glands. Jaundice of the skin, eye.
- Rash that does not itch.
- Darkening of urine.
After a couple of weeks, there is a gradual subsidence of acute symptoms.
Symptoms and signs of monocytic sore throat
In children
Common symptoms are often added:
- Allergies.
- Loss of appetite.
- Insomnia.
- Rash on the back and stomach in the form of pink spots.
- Tumors on the bridge of the nose and above the eyebrows.
- Intestinal and stomach disorders.
- Conjunctivitis.
In adults
- Symptomatology may have a blurred character, periodically exacerbating, then calming down.
- Against the backdrop of chronic ailments, the disease can last much longer than in children.
Diagnostics
In addition to the initial examination for accurate diagnosis of monocytic sore throat, it is necessary to pass the necessary tests and undergo a number of procedures:
- Blood test( in this form of angina, there is an increase in leukocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes, a decrease in neutrophilic granulocytes, the appearance of mononuclear cells, an increase in hepatic enzymes).
- Serological tests( detection of antibodies to antigens of the virus and serum test for HIV infection).
- Pharyngoscopy( a thorough examination of the oropharynx using a laryngeal mirror under special lighting conditions).
- Ultrasound of internal organs( liver and spleen with monocytic angina greatly increased).
On the photo of the oropharynx with monocytic angina
Treatment of
There are no special preparations for the treatment of infectious mononucleosis in medicine. Therapy is aimed at eliminating symptoms and arresting complications. With mixed bacterial forms of the disease or with severe current, the doctor can prescribe antibiotics( tetracyclines, cephalosporins, macrolides), but usually they are not used for viral infections.
General rules for fighting viruses:
- Bed rest.
- Gentle, fortified diet.
- Drinking plenty.
Medication
- Antipyretics( paracetamol, aspirin, Coldrex, Panadol, Efferalgan).Children are preferred drugs with a lower content of the main component in the form of suspensions.
- Ibuprofen and drugs based on it( Nurofen, Ibuklin, Ibufen) are the most effective in the fight against viruses.
- Good inflammation of the glucocorticoid( prednisolone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone).
- To provide respiratory function for suffocation, an emergency cryoconicotomy is performed( puncture of the membrane between the Adam's apple and the cricoid cartilage).
- For severe toxicosis, the patient is placed with a dropper with a large amount of saline.
- Immunomodulators are usually used for residual effects of the disease( Immunol, Immunal, Echinacea).
- The use of vitamin complexes helps to strengthen immunity.
- For local treatment, regular throat rinsing with antiseptic means( furacilin, chamomile, soda) is used.
Folk remedies
Inhalations:
- Composition of flowers of chamomile, calendula, sage and oregano.
- Juice fresh onion with the addition of sodium chloride.
- Infusion of pine buds.
- Decoction of potato peelings with cedar oil, thyme and sage.
- Hot infusion with anise and eucalyptus oil( 1/2).
- Balm "Star", added to boiling water.
Rinses:
- Honey mixture( 3 teaspoons of honey for a glass of water or milk).
- Water diluted with apple cider vinegar.
- Fresh juice of beets or potatoes.
- Eucalyptus broth.
- Garlic infusion.
- Water with lemon juice.
Physiotherapy
A comprehensive approach to treatment allows you to quickly cope with the virus and avoid undesirable consequences, but during the exacerbation of the disease, physiotherapy courses can not be conducted.
The most common methods are:
- UV irradiation of tonsils.
- Laser treatment.
- Electrophoresis.
- Light therapy.
Features of treatment for pregnancy
When planning pregnancy, a comprehensive examination should be made for the presence of herpes viruses in the body. Within a year after the transferred infectious mononucleosis, pregnancy is generally undesirable. Approximately so much time is needed to restore the composition of blood, and other residual phenomena disappeared.
The Epstein-Barr virus can lead to fetal developmental pathologies until pregnancy is disrupted.
In the event that it was not possible to protect themselves from the disease, the treatment must necessarily take place in a hospital under medical supervision. The doctor, having compared all risks, will choose the most optimal variant of therapy.
Possible complications than dangerous disease
- Choking.
- The rupture of the spleen.
- Pneumonia.
- Meningitis.
- Encephalitis.
- Polyneurite.
- Pericarditis.
- Anemia.
- Renal failure.
Prevention and precautions for communicating with a patient
- Children who have had contact with a sick person are prescribed immunoglobulin.
- The room where the patient is located is regularly ventilated. Every day, a wet cleaning is done with disinfectants.
- When communicating with a virus carrier, strict personal hygiene must be observed.
- In order to strengthen immunity, it is necessary to have vitaminized food, adequate rest and moderate physical activity.
- During the spread of viral diseases, it is desirable to minimize visits to public places.
Precautions
Forecast
Uncomplicated monocytic tonsillitis has a favorable prognosis. Complications greatly exacerbate the disease, but are rare. Especially dangerous are asphyxia and rupture of the spleen.
The average duration of the disease is 1 month, but residual effects( changes in blood composition, enlargement of the liver and spleen) are observed for 6 to 12 months.