Differences from adult to child
The treatment of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever in adults and children is largely identical. It should be ensured above all that the patient rests and allows the body to rest and that an effective fever reduction takes place to counteract fluid loss. In contrast to adults, smaller children tend to lose fluid more quickly, as they store much more water in the connective tissue and more often refuse to eat and drink when they feel bad.
Especially in small children, fluid loss due to fever plays a major role, as their immune system is not yet fully developed to fight off pathogens and the development of elevated temperatures is the first rapid body defense mechanism. The choice of antipyretic agents must also be adapted in children. For example, in contrast to treatment in adults, a reduction in the dose of drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen is required.
In smaller children, the infection is often not recognized at all or is confused with angina. If Pfeiffer’s glandular fever occurs in adults over 30 years of age, the disease often proceeds atypically with muscle pain and fatigue lasting for weeks. In severe cases, adults may also require cortisone therapy or therapy with antivirals such as Aciclovir or Ganciclovir to alleviate the symptoms.
Since the pathogen is transmitted via the exchange of saliva, it is important to ensure that a ban on kissing is enforced, especially in adolescents and adults. This is the only way to prevent the pathogen from being transmitted and to avoid infecting other people. The Epstein Barr virus infestation in the general population is almost 100% in 40-year-olds, so that almost everyone must have contracted glandular fever at some time or another.
However, not everyone can remember an episode of illness with the virus. This is due to the fact that in children the course of the Pfeiffer’s glandular fever is often asymptomatic or the symptoms appear very weakened. If symptoms occur in children, a few things should be considered.
If a child has abdominal pain under the ribs on the left side, this may indicate an enlargement of the spleen and must be clarified by an ultrasound examination. If this is the case, physical rest must be taken, as there is a risk of a rupture of the spleen. It is particularly difficult to maintain bed rest for small children.
Abdominal pain under the right ribs may involve the liver and should be followed by a blood test.
- Therapy-resistant fever,
- Fever longer than three days or
- A strongly reduced general condition, a doctor must be consulted.
In babies with an infection caused by Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, as with so many diseases of a baby, the diagnosis is complicated by unspecific symptoms. It is therefore possible that the disease is not recognized at all or is recognized late.
If a baby has a long-lasting fever, it is essential to ensure a sufficient supply of fluids. It is feared that the baby will dehydrate due to the increased temperatures. It is important to pay attention to the weight progression and the general condition of the baby.
Chronic whistling glandular fever describes a chronically active infection with the Epstein Barr virus over a period of at least three months.This is a particular strain on the body, as the immune system is exposed to an active virus over a very long period of time. Since there is no clinically proven therapy for chronic mononucleosis, the focus of the treatment is on improving the symptoms and supporting the immune system. In this sense, drugs are used to try to reduce the fever.
Often, the active ingredients applied also simultaneously effect a pain therapy. Furthermore, it is important to ensure a sufficient fluid intake. Also possible rare complications such as a rupture of the spleen or an inflammation of the heart should be detected as early as possible.
Some successful attempts to treat chronic Pfeiffer’s glandular fever have been made with virustatics, such as Aciclovir, or tissue hormones, such as Interleukin 2, which support the immune system in its defence against the virus. In severe cases, clinical studies report stem cell transplants that have led to healing.
