 | ||
|
| |    Beyond Mono: Other Complications of the Epstein-Barr Virus by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. In the vast majority of children, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes mono, which resolves completely, leaving no long-term problems. Unfortunately, a small number of previously healthy children will develop complications of mono. Also, individuals with certain medical problems are not only more likely to have complications from mono, but they also may acquire more unusual--and more serious--manifestations of EBV disease. Ruptured spleen If your child has mono, one of the most important reasons he must be evaluated by a healthcare professional is to see if his spleen is enlarged. Moderate enlargement of the spleen occurs in about half of all mono cases. The spleen is an organ that is filled with blood and located in the upper left side of the abdomen. Some of its functions include producing immune factors and filtering out old red blood cells. Normally it is well protected from injury because it is tucked up under the left rib cage. However, when it is enlarged for any reason, it extends down into the part of the abdomen that is not protected by the ribs and is susceptible to being ruptured (or torn) by trauma to the abdomen. Although a ruptured spleen is not a common complication of mono, it is important to know that if and when it does occur, it is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgical intervention, because it causes profuse internal bleeding that will not stop on its own. In the vast majority of cases, a blow to the abdomen is what causes the rupture; only very rarely does it occur spontaneously. If your child has an enlarged spleen, it's essential that he avoid certain activities until his spleen shrinks to its normal size as determined by an experienced healthcare professional (often a matter of weeks following a mono infection). Actions he should be restricted from doing:
In a few cases, inflammation caused by mono can cause the tonsils to swell so much that they block the child's airway, necessitating the placement of a breathing tube to permit the child to get oxygen. Central nervous system problems In unusual cases, EBV can cause seizures, inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis), inflammation of the brain itself (encephalitis), or Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is marked by weakness and paralysis starting in the muscles of the limbs and spreading to the trunk and head (it gets worse over a few days to weeks, then the symptoms level off and eventually resolve--usually completely). Abnormal blood cell production EBV can suppress the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells, such as platelets (also known as thrombocytopenia) and white blood cells (also known as leukopenia). This can lead to bleeding problems and increased susceptibility to infection, respectively. Anemia The virus also can lead to the destruction of red blood cells, causing them to break or lyse. This complication is known as hemolytic anemia. Inflammation of other organs The Epstein-Barr virus can infect any organ in the body, causing inflammation (indicated by the suffix "-itis" on a word). In most cases, these complications resolve completely without long-term damage. Some of the organs that can be affected include the kidneys (glomerulonephritis), testes (orchitis), and the heart muscle (myocarditis). EBV infection in individuals with other conditions EBV can cause severe infections and even cancer (lymphoma) in individuals with decreased immunity, particularly certain transplant patients. In other parts of the world, EBV has been associated with particular kinds of cancers (Burkitt's lymphoma in Africa and a cancer of the nose and throat known as nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Southeast Asia), but experts believe that other factors, in addition to EBV, may contribute to the development of these diseases.
| |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About Us |
Contact Us |
Our Partners Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved. THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com
provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care
professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement
of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee,
or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full
Terms of Service. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
