The Epstein-Barr virus is one of the most common infectious diseases. According to statistics, 98% of adults in the body have antibodies to this disease. This pathology refers to uncontrolled infectious diseases. There is no vaccination against this disease, therefore, its prevalence can not be affected.
The Epstein-Barr virus - what is it?
It was first discovered in 1964 in tumor samples. He was opened by Professor Michael Epstein and his assistant Yvonne Barr. In honor of them, and called the virus. In medicine, it is often used to reduce VEB. This malicious microorganism belongs to the family of herpetic agents. However, unlike other viruses in this group, pathology does not cause death, but only partially affects the cells. As a result, the type 4 herpes virus provokes the appearance of neoplasms. This process in medicine is called "proliferation." It indicates a pathological proliferation of cells.
How is the Epstein-Barr virus transmitted?
The source of the pathology is the infected person. It is especially dangerous for the surrounding people at the last stage of the incubation period. Even after the disease was overcome, the patient's body continues to allocate a small amount of pathogen for another 1.5 years. The Epstein-Barr virus transmission pathway has these:
- Aerogenic method - the danger is the secretion of contaminated saliva and mucus from the oropharynx. Infection can occur with a kiss, conversation, coughing or sneezing.
- Contact and household way. Fragments of infected saliva can remain on the dishes, towels and other items of common use.
- The transfusion mechanism. Agents enter the body after transfusion of infected blood.
- When bone marrow transplantation - from the infected donor to the recipient.
- The transplacental pathway is from pregnant to fetus.
The agent after penetration into the body enters the lymphatic system, and from there it spreads to different organs. At the initial stage of the development of pathology, mass death of pathogenic cells occurs in part. The remaining are actively multiplying. As a result, the ailment from the initial stage passes into the acute phase, and the symptoms of the disease begin to manifest.
What is dangerous Epstein-Barr virus?
The simplest manifestation of this ailment is infectious mononucleosis. It is also called Filatov's disease. With strong immunity, the disease is mild. Often it is even regarded as a classic viral infection. At this stage, the body produces antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus. In the future, immunoglobulins suppress the activity of the agents.
If the immunity is strong and the treatment is correctly selected, the Epstein-Barr virus will not cause any consequences. On the contrary, a person will have lifelong immunity to this pathology. With a weak defense system, there is rarely a complete recovery. The virus continues its vital activity in the human body, affecting its organs and systems. As a result, serious diseases can develop.
What diseases does the Epstein-Barr virus cause?
This disease can provoke the development of dangerous pathologies. The Epstein-Barr virus causes complications such as:
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- diabetes;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- oncological diseases (cancer of the stomach, lymphoid tissue, tonsils, intestines and so on);
- bacterial pneumonia;
- anemia;
- meningitis;
- toxic hepatitis;
- lupus erythematosus;
- blood diseases.
In addition, there are serious changes in the work of immunity. The patient becomes prone to frequent infectious diseases. Even cases are recorded where a person recovers from illnesses, to which stable immunity is formed. For example, it can be measles, chicken pox, rubella and so on. In a similar state of the immune system in a severe form, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex occur.
Epstein-Barr virus in pregnancy
This ailment in the period of bearing a baby is very tricky. In one case, it is completely safe for a woman and a fetus, and in another it is very dangerous. The Epstein-Barr virus in pregnancy can cause such pathologies:
- miscarriage;
- frozen pregnancy;
- damage to the eyes of the infant;
- small weight of the fetus;
- dysfunction of the respiratory system in the child;
- chroniosepsis;
- defeat of the nervous system in the fetus.
However, the Epstein-Barr virus IgG is not always dangerous in all cases. If a woman was examined before pregnancy and her antibodies were detected in the blood, this indicates that she was infected, but the body coped successfully. However, a woman in the period of bearing a baby will have to take PCR analysis 5-7 times. This will allow you to monitor the situation and, if necessary, begin emergency therapy.
Dangerous for the future of the mother and fetus are the antigens of the IgG-EA type found in the blood. Their presence suggests that the Epstein-Barr virus was reactivated. In this case, the doctor will prescribe a special therapeutic course. Such treatment is aimed at introducing an agent into an inactive state. In this form, he will be completely safe for both the woman and the child to be born.
Epstein-Barr virus - symptomatology
This disease has three periods: incubation, acute phase and chronic form. Immediately after infection, the disease is asymptomatic. In some cases, there may be signs:
- redness of the palatine arches;
- increase in body temperature to 38 ° C;
- nasal congestion .
Herpes simplex virus type 4 symptoms in the acute phase can have these:
- body temperature rises to 40 ° C;
- enlarged lymph nodes ;
- the voice becomes nasal;
- from the tonsils there are purulent discharge;
- there is an increase in the size of the liver and spleen;
- a skin rash appears on the body.
The Epstein-Barr virus symptoms in the chronic form of the disease are as follows:
- general weakness;
- increased sweating;
- pain in the joints and muscles;
- memory impairment and attention dispersion;
- sleep disturbance;
- headache;
- thrush ;
- herpes on the lips .
Epstein-Barr virus - diagnosis
Since this disease has a great similarity with other infectious diseases, before the appointment of treatment the doctor will recommend the patient to the examination. Identify the Epstein-Barr virus blood test will help. The patient undergoes a complete immunological examination. He also needs to pass a general and biochemical blood test. In addition, the patient is assigned studies to determine serological responses.
If necessary, the doctor can recommend additional diagnostic manipulations:
- Chest X-ray;
- consultation of an immunologist;
- blood clotting assay ;
- consultation of a hematologist;
- Ultrasound of the liver and spleen;
- Oncologist's consultation.
The capsid antigen of the Epstein-Barr virus
In medicine, it is designated VCA. Class G antigens are produced by the body 3 weeks after the onset of the acute phase of the disease. They are for life for all those who have had VEB. The Epstein-Barr capsid virus is detected by hematological examination. The following values (unit / ml) serve as a guideline:
- less than 20 - negative;
- more than 40 - positive;
- 20-40 - it is doubtful.
The nuclear antigen of the Epstein-Barr virus
In medicine, it is designated EBNA. Identify the nuclear virus Epstein-Barr can be 6 months after infection and started therapy. By the time the recovery comes. When a haematological study is conducted for the Epstein-Barr virus, the analysis will be as accurate as possible if the following conditions are met:
- delivered on an empty stomach;
- a day before the change, you must give up fried and fatty foods;
- During the examination period, physical activities should be excluded.
The Epstein-Barr virus is a nuclear antigen
It is produced by persisting agents in the cells of the body. The Epstein-Barr virus produces antibodies after genome incorporation into the genetic apparatus of cells, centered in their nucleus. Ready antigens leave their place of "birth" and come out to the surface of the membrane. Since they are formed in the nuclei of host cells, such antibodies are called nuclear. To date, five types of such antigens are known. For their diagnosis, special hematological studies are used.
Epstein-Barr virus - treatment
At the acute stage of the disease, a fixed course is recommended. After the Epstein-Barr virus is put into an inactive state, further patient recovery at home is possible. In acute mononucleosis it is recommended:
- bed rest;
- frequent balanced nutrition;
- abundant drinking;
- Exclusion from the diet of products provoking allergies (chocolate, honey, citrus fruits and so on);
- refusal from acute, fatty and salty foods;
- enrichment of the diet with products containing vitamins B and C, and sour milk.
Drug therapy should be comprehensive. Its goal is to suppress the virus, strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of complications. Here's how to treat the Epstein-Barr virus medication:
- antibiotics (Cefodox, Azithromycin , Ceftriaxone);
- antiviral drugs (Fosquavir, Gerpevir, Acyclovir);
- medicines with antiviral and immunostimulating action (Interferon, Uracil, Cycloferon);
- antihistamines (Cetrin, Suprastin, Loratadine);
- immunoglobulins (Bioven, Pentaglobin, Sandoglobulin);
- sorbents (Enterosgel, activated carbon);
- hormonal drugs (Dexamethasone, Prednisolone);
- vitamins (Pikovit, Vitrum, Milgama).
In each case, when the Epstein-Barr virus is diagnosed, individual treatment is selected. The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the manifestation of the disease and the state of the patient's immunity. If the disease has passed into a chronic form and is accompanied by frequent manifestations of inflammatory processes, there is no special way to fight it. Therapy in this case is reduced to strengthening immunity.
Can the Epstein-Barr virus be cured?
It is impossible to completely overcome the disease. Even if the therapy used drugs of modern generation, the herpes virus 4 still continues to exist in B-lymphocytes. Here it is preserved for life. If a person has strong immunity, the virus that provokes Epstein-Barr's disease is inactive. As soon as the defenses of the body decrease, VEB passes to the stage of exacerbation.
Epstein-Barr virus - treatment with folk remedies
Alternative therapy alone does not give noticeable results. It is used in conjunction with well-chosen medicines and under the supervision of a doctor. Propolis is one of the means of traditional medicine. A small piece (up to 5 mm in diameter) must be dissolve until completely dissolved. The Epstein-Barr virus of the herb suggests use. More often it is:
- chamomile;
- mint;
- calendula;
- ginseng;
- mother and stepmother.