Epstein-Barr virus. What is it, how to treat adults, children. Symptoms decoding of blood analysis, treatment homeopathy preparations folk remedies

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - this is such a common viral infection that has herpetic nature. Intracellular parasite - compound cytomegalovirus and herpes virus conventional, present in the body in a latent form, leaving the active phase with cold, and viral diseases.

Epstein-Barr virus: a general overview

A virus is a herpes infection present in a latent form in the majority of people and manifests itself with a decrease in immunity. Particularly threatening infections carries property under certain conditions, cause the appearance of malignancies.

Risk is a compound of the virion with infectious pathogens and fungal origin.

Inframikroba outer structure forms a protein-lipid envelope, having dimensions of 120-150 nm and operate protection function of genetic information from damage caused by mechanical, chemical and other factors.

EBV has sensitivity to a B-type lymphocytes, which, after infection virion exist as a DNA molecule having the ability to self-replicate. When conditions are favorable cell produces viral particles containing the infection.

A characteristic feature of the process is the fact that the division cycle can take place without destroying the mother cell.

Reproduction virions (full viral particles) occurs by dividing the parent structure after its intracellular parasite infection. There is the likelihood of developing cancer based structures EBV infected cells, whose connection with the cancers noted in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphoma Berkita.

Previously it was assumed there was a link between EBV-infection and chronic fatigue syndrome, but the hypothesis has not been confirmed in clinical trials. Among the pathologies for which proven link with the presence in the body of the intracellular parasite the EBV, experts call a few.

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• non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin Berkita;
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• hepatitis;
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome;
• herpes;
• the hair oral leukoplakia;
• nasopharyngeal cancer formation occurring in the use of corned beef;
• tumors of the salivary glands, intestine and stomach;
• Pathology spinal cord and brain structures, multiple sclerosis;
• neoplasms of the bone marrow in the structure after transplantation;
• Hodgkin's disease;
  
• primary cerebral lymphoma;
• total failure of the protection system;
• gerpanginu.

Epstein-Barr virus appears at a significantly reduced defense system functions, provoking the appearance of one of the above disorders.

How is the disease

Epstein-Barr virus is transmitted by contact of the microbe with the biological fluids of an infected person, which causes instantaneous infection.

Spread such mechanisms of transmission from the carrier - is:

• through blood by blood transfusion;
• contact-household manner by using common objects or handshakes with an infected person;
• lubricant through genital, vaginal fluids and semen during sex;
• airborne droplets, through saliva by kissing, but in this case the possibility of infection virologists noted only in the acute stage pathology;
  
• through the placenta during fetal formation of the child in the mother and childbirth.

After passing the acute phase, the symptoms of which are similar to the description of the manifestations of common cold (sneezing, cough with infected mucus), the virus for a long time retains activity in the salivary glands and lymph fluid patient.

The degree of ability to release intracellular parasite infected material depends on the presence of clinical manifestations of the disease in the environment. In the absence of disease symptoms, virus isolation to the outside environment have a certain periodicity.

The complexity of the prevention of infection is due to frequent cases of transmission from people with a latent form of the disease or disease, occurs without clinical symptoms. The time required for the external manifestations of the virus after the initial infection of the body is 1.5-2 years.

At this time there is a decrease in intracellular parasite activity related to its inhibition of at enhancing patient immunity.

According to statistics, various forms of EBV carriers are about 100% of the adult population and about 60% of children. Here, after the transfer of the active form of infection, disease carriers remain about 30% of those infected.

What happens during infection

Epstein-Barr virus (what it is and how the infection occurs, described in the preceding paragraphs of the article) when ingested, it is characterized by a twofold manifestation of pathology. On the one hand, immediately after infection occurs destruction of the pathological structures.

On the other hand noted accelerated multiplication remainder of intracellular parasites, which manifests itself in the symptoms of the disease. For the acute phase of the disease is characterized by death of a significant percentage of damaged cells, while as a chronic disease observed multiplication followed by the appearance of cells neoplasms.

Because intracellular parasite enter the body, which occurs through the mucosa of the nasopharynx it enters the lymph.

This provokes a defeat:

• liver;
• spleen;
• lymph nodes;
• tonsils sick person.

The incubation period for inframikroba is 5-20 days. When the primary infection, the disease does not manifest itself for 1-2 weeks, after which the first symptoms of infection can occur. The acute form of disease indicates that there are problems in the body's defense system.

While EBV in the body tend to occupy the beta cells of the protection system, it enters the bloodstream. In some cases, long-term localization of the intracellular parasite can be bone marrow. After the incubation period, virus-infected B cells enter the bloodstream, through which is their delivery to all organs.

During normal operation of the protection system it is observed the selection of T-lymphocytes. Their action is aimed at the destruction of contaminated structures due to being on the surface of infected cells the viral antigen. There is activation of NK-structures to ensure the destruction of infected cells.

As a result, it becomes possible to their decontamination (neutralization) antibodies elaborated by the body. Other features include an intracellular parasite of its high capacity for adaptation. When re-infection of humans to the virus do not act antibodies raised during the initial invasion of pathogenic microorganisms.

Causes of infection

Epstein-Barr virus (what is it and how is the infection has been described in the preceding paragraphs of the article) is common. The organism is 4/5 of people living on Earth contain a latent form of EBV, which in the production of antibodies can not manifest itself throughout a person's life.

The reason for existence of the intracellular parasite is a dysfunction of the immune system that occurs due to improper food, frequent stressful situations, physical and emotional overloads, violation of work and rest, ignoring the rules of personal hygiene.

Among other reasons, provoking a decrease of immunity, experts call a long reception antibiotics, the presence of catarrhal diseases associated with the development of SARS, the weakening of the women body during pregnancy.

Identify several favorable periods for infection during a person's life:

1. The first peak is associated with an increase in the number of diseases, account for 2... 10 years of age, due not fully formed child's immune system.
2. The second increase in the number of infected people between the ages of 20-30 years, due to the entry into an active sex life and frequent change of sexual partners.

The highest probability of infectious mononucleosis as a major disease associated with Epstein-Barr virus, are young people aged 14-18 years. Girls compared with boys carry the infection at an earlier age.

The disease is rarely diagnosed in people older than 40 years. People with weakened immune systems and HIV-infected patients have a release probability Epstein-Barr virus in the active phase at any age.

The symptoms of Epstein-Barr virus

During the incubation period, there is an increase disease symptoms, signs of which are varied and can manifest itself in various forms.

For example:

• weakness;
• fatigue;
• intoxication;
• gastrointestinal disorders and disorders of the chair;
• pain in the throat;
• a slight increase in body temperature;
• headaches;
• sleep disorders;
• pharyngitis;
• nausea and vomiting.

At the end of the incubation period, symptoms of general intoxication, which is manifested in the form of pain in the joints and muscles, general weakness, sweating.

Signs of acute mononucleosis

Symptomatic EBV characteristic of the acute phase of the disease manifests itself in the adult population in the form of:

1. Signs of fever.
   
2. Increasing the size of lymph nodes to 0.5-2 cm in diameter, located in front and back of the neck, neck, jaw, armpits, clavicles, elbows, hips and groin area of ​​the patient. When conducting palpation, these structures differ dense texture are weakly or moderately expressed pain nor have connections to each other and with the surrounding tissues and internal features suppuration structures. Maximum listed clearly manifest signs in 5-7 day of the active phase of the disease, the severity of the symptoms and then gradually decreases.
3. Symptoms of hepatitis.
4. Abdominal pain associated with changes in the size of lymph nodes in the peritoneum, or spleen listed symptoms occur at 14-21 days of illness. Sometimes enlarged liver can be observed, the appearance of urine having a darker shade or mild signs of jaundice.
5. Increasing the sky tonsil size, the appearance of plaque on them having a white color, the nose difficulties breathing occurrence purulent content localized at the back surface of the pharynx, nasal appearance vote.
6. Occurrence of pain in the chest.
7. temperature increase to 38-39 ° C, thus, its improvement in contrast to colds and SARS not accompanied by sweating or chills.
8. Appearance of hemorrhage and the formation of papules, points, and other varieties rash observed on the skin surface for 1.5 weeks. In 25% of cases, infection manifests as allergic symptoms, for example Quincke's edema, or various kinds of rashes on the body surface.

The intensity of the rash is increased when administered as antibiotics penicillin therapy group associated with improper diagnosis.

Signs of chronic virus infection

Epstein-Barr virus (what it is, the mechanism of infection and symptoms of the disease have been described in the preceding paragraphs of this article). Chronic pathologies kind is characterized in that the constant presence of the virus in the body causing immunodeficiency syndrome. This creates favorable conditions for accession to infect a bacterial or fungal infection.

Experts call a number of features characteristic of the variety of pathology, including:

• persistent migraines;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• inflammation of the lacrimal and salivary glands;
• feeling of chronic fatigue;
• dry cough having paroxysmal in nature;
• cancer tumors;
• lupus erythematosus;
• pain in the muscles and joint discomfort;
• nasal congestion;
• depression;
• rashes and boils;
• mental disorders;
• a higher incidence of respiratory diseases and viral;
• deteriorating ability to memorize.

A feature of this kind of disturbance is the complexity of its detection because the periodic exacerbation remission of the disease pathology replaced. As a result, to determine the presence of the disease can only be based on the results of special tests.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis involves examination of the patient, write history, carrying out visual inspection and palpation.

After them, depending on the suspected pathology of various shapes can be assigned:

1. immunological studiesIncluding assessment of the concentration of immunoglobulins or blood interferon.
2. DNA diagnostics using the method of polymerase chain reaction includes detecting the presence of the genetic information of the virus in the cerebrospinal fluid, saliva or swabs taken from the respiratory tract.
3. serology using an enzyme immunoassay for determining the concentration and the type of antibodies produced by the body in response to infection with the organism is a virus.
4. General blood analysis for detecting a change in the platelet count, monocytes concentration fluctuations, leukocytes, lymphocytes and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the plasma.
5. Blood chemistry for determining the presence of specific compounds of the acute phase protein (fibrinogen, CRP), determining increase in plasma levels of enzymes such as LDH, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase content increase, bilirubin.

After consultation with a hematologist, immunologist, ENT doctor and oncologist, additional tests may be administered, for example:

• Ultrasonography of the peritoneum;
  
• Sample collection for the evaluation capacity of the blood to clot;
• X-rays of the sinuses, chest.

Changes in blood test during infection, transcript of study results

After the initial inspection and setting the preliminary diagnosis, the doctor prescribes the patient referral to the saliva, urine or blood of a patient. One of the more significant assays is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis of blood, in which the determined presence of antibodies in the sample to the virus EBV.

When infected, the patient's blood can be detected two groups of immunoglobulins:

• The antibodies of class M determined in primary infection of virus or the output from latent to an active form and in a related launch destructive processes.
  
• The substance group G responsible for controlling the spread of herpes infection, the presence in the results of a high titer of this material suggests a recent infection.

Another method of determining the presence of the virus is the study of biological fluids organism by PCR method aimed at finding a DNA virus. Since the method provides a low degree of reliability of the results (about 70%), it is used to confirm the diagnosis.

The presence of traces of an intracellular parasite in the saliva indicates viral lesions of the body. However, this method not only does not answer the question of human infection with the time, but does not provide information about the relationship between inflammation and the presence of virus in the body.

Suspicion of malignancies caused by EBV, a biopsy is performed (taking samples of material) lesions.

Treatment of acute infection

Treatment of chronic and acute infectious disease pathology conducted by a doctor. Upon detection of tumors that are malignant nature cures the disease oncologist. When the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis is performed patient hospitalization, limited intake of certain foods, is provided for recovery rest.

Special therapeutic measures are carried out only when it detects strong deviations in the body's defense system.

In other cases, a complex treatment, which consists of:

• Immunostimulants and modulators are used for the normalization of the protective system.
• Glucocorticosteroids are used in severe forms of viral infection.

  

• Drugs, on the basis of ganciclovir, valacyclovir, foscarnet, famciclovir, whose action is aimed at narrowing the field of localization of infection.
• For the purpose of relief of inflammatory medications are used from the group of corticosteroids. It should be remembered that their use allows blocking of inflammation, but has no effect on the presence in the body strain.
• Intravenous injection of drugs based on antibodies directed at improving the body's defense system.

The use of sorbents and vitamins assigned when detecting low concentrations in assays for antibody restore the normal functioning of the immune system and prevent the escape of the virus in an active phase.

Treatment of chronic forms of the disease

Epstein-Barr virus (what it is and what kinds of pathologies exist, described above) in the chronic form is virtually impossible to therapy. This is due to a strong decline in the functions of the protection system, weakened by frequent colds and inflammatory diseases.

In such diagnosis it is recommended to direct therapy to strengthen the immune system and prevent colds and infectious diseases.

Preparations for the treatment of virus

According to the developed scheme physician therapy, its composition may include drugs such as:

• Preparations based on interferon, which is a protein analog compounds. It is produced by the body at a meeting with the virus. For example: the injection of EU reaferona. The contents of the vial are dissolved in water for injection (1 ml - intramuscular, subcutaneous administration in the hearth, in 5 ml of - at subconjunctival and local administration). Also, use of interferon alpha. For the treatment of newborn babies used Neovir, aged 3 to 4 years - Anaferon, from 4 to 7 years - TSikloferon, over 7 years - Amiksin.
• Inhibition of viral activity is performed nucleotides, including solutions for intravenous injections Cymevene (daily dose - 10 mg / kg of course - 2-3 weeks) Famfira tablets (250 mg 3 times a day for a week), Valtrex tablets (treatment is a week at a dose of 500 mg 2 times a day).
• To exclude complications apply thymic hormone medication. Among such drugs can be identified timalin injection (5.2 mg for children and for adults 5-20 mg per course 3-10days) intramuscular injections (10-50 mg children, adults 50-100 mg for 3-10 days) and intranasal (drops 3-5 for each half nose 2-3 p. a day) use Timogen.
• Antibiotics of the tetracycline group, e.g., Cefazolin or macrolide, e.g. Erythromycin and Sumamed.
• giperimmunoglobulin formulations (150 mg / kg daily over the course of immunosuppressive therapy), normal immunoglobulin (500 mg / kg per day. 14-15 weeks).
• To maintain the normal operation of the liver may be administered preparations of hepatic groups, e.g. Ursosan, Gepabene, Essentiale.
• Antihistamines in the presence of allergic reactions, e.g. Tavegil, Fenkarol, Zyrtec.

When there is evidence of viral infection assigned therapy comprising antitussives, antipyretics and vasoconstrictive drops.

Folk remedies to strengthen immunity in Epstein-Barr virus

Good help during therapy is the use of the popular methods to strengthen the immune system.

Among the most common methods that experts call:

• Therapy with ginseng tincture added to the warm tea at a dosage of 5-10 drops for a child up to 15 drops for an adult.
• Treatment with throat lubricating oil of clary sage or juniper, which provides for eliminating inflammation and plaque with lesions characteristic organism EBV.
• Oral administration of Echinacea purpurea tincture drops at a dose of up to 30 drops to 3 times during the day.

Good results are obtained by limiting the admission of certain products with a balanced content of vitamins and minerals nutrition.

Is it possible to cure the virus completely?

The overwhelming percentage of cases pathology is characterized by the passage without any complications to recovery, but at the same time EBV in the body of the patient is stored in latent form until the end of life.

What method of treatment is the most effective?

The key to selecting an effective method of treatment is a timely reference to the doctor, the correct formulation diagnosis and the use of complex individual treatment regimen for the treatment in hospital and dispensary observation.

It is considered to be the most effective combination of measures aimed at the relief of the inflammatory processes, receiving means providing decrease in localization and reduction of activity of the virus with the use of drugs aimed at the normalization of the defensive system of the patient.

The prognosis of Epstein-Barr virus

For the Epstein-Barr virus in 75-90% of cases, doctors give a favorable prognosis for recovery. But 10-25% of cases of acute form and asymptomatic primary infection - it provokes complications factors that are accompanied by the appearance of pathologies.

They are as follows: virus-associated malignancies, hemophagocytic syndrome, lymphoproliferative disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Registration of the article: Lozinski Oleg

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