Mononucleosis In Adults And Children
Signs Of Mononucleosis In Adults And Children
Mononucleosis is a common infectious disease that can affect people of all ages. It most commonly occurs in adolescents and adults, however even young children can contract the disease. In adults the signs of mononucleosis are easy to determine and can then be confirmed with a blood test. The signs of mononucleosis are less clear in children as the disease is less severe and not all symptoms manifest.
Early Symptoms
The first signs of mononucleosis will appear 30 to 50 days after being infected in adults while children will typically develop symptoms 10 days after being infected. In adults the first symptoms will be a fever, chills, a headache, sore throat, and tiredness. The sore throat is the most persistent symptom and can last for weeks.
Adults often develop further signs of mononucleosis such as swollen glands, skin rashes, muscle aches, an enlarged spleen, and loss of appetite. Children rarely develop these signs of mononucleosis. Due to the lack of typical infectious mononucleosis symptoms in children, mononucleosis in children is often misdiagnosed.
Children will often feel very tired, experience a sore throat, present tonsils that are whitish appearance, and fever. Mononucleosis can be confirmed with a specific blood test. If you suspect your child has mononucleosis it is best to have a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.
Complications In Children
With enough rest and the correct treatment of symptoms most children will be able to recover from mononucleosis. However one complication that can occur is dehydration. This most commonly occurs when children find it difficult to swallow due to a sore throat. It is important to keep children well hydrated to avoid this. Otherwise your child may require hospitalization to receive intravenous fluids.
Treatment
There is no cure or specific course of treatment for mononucleosis. Even if you recognize the signs of mononucleosis early it does not mean that you will be able to recover more quickly. Your doctor will most likely prescribe treatment for your symptoms. For example ibuprofen to treat fever and pain from swollen glands, salt water gargles for sore throats, and plenty of rest.
Most people will recover from mononucleosis in six to eight weeks.
In some cases it may take as long as six months. Expect to feel tired even when your other symptoms have abated or disappeared. Check with your doctor how long you should stay home from work or school to aid your recovery and prevent the disease from spreading.
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