The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that causes mono is found throughout the world. By the time most people reach adulthood, an antibody against EBV can be detected in their blood. In the U.S., up to 95% of adults 35-40 years of age have antibodies directed against EBV. This means that most people, sometime in their lives, have been infected with EBV. The body's immune system produces antibodies to attack and help destroy invading viruses and bacteria. These specific antibodies can be detected in the blood of people who have been infected.

When infection occurs in childhood, the virus most often produces no symptoms. It is estimated that only about 10% of children who become infected with EBV develop the illness. Likewise, probably because of immunity from prior infection, adults typically do not develop the illness. Most cases of infectious mononucleosis occur in the 15-24 age group.

While there are other illnesses falling under the broad classification of mononucleosis that can cause similar symptoms (cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection is one example) and an increase in blood lymphocytes, the form caused by the EBV is by far the most common.

What are the risk factors for mono?

The EBV can infect any person. As previously discussed, the majority of people have become infected with the virus by the time that they reach adulthood, and the majority of these infections produce no symptoms or are not recognized as mono. Mono is most often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, with a peak incidence at 15-17 years of age. However, it can also be seen in children. Generally, the illness is less severe in young children and may mimic the symptoms of other common childhood illnesses, which may explain why it is less commonly diagnosed or recognized in this younger age group.

How is mono transmitted or spread?

Mono is spread by person-to-person contact. Saliva is the primary method of transmitting mono, which leads to the infection of B lymphocytes in the mouth and throat. Infectious mononucleosis developed its common name of "kissing disease" from this prevalent form of transmission among teenagers. It typically takes between four to eight weeks for symptoms of mono to appear after the initial infection with EBV. A person with mono can also pass the disease by coughing or sneezing, causing small droplets of infected saliva and/or mucus to be suspended in the air which can be inhaled by others. Sharing food or beverages from the same container or utensil can also transfer the virus from one person to another since contact with infected saliva may result.

Most people have been exposed to the virus as children, and as a result of the exposure, they have developed immunity to the virus. It is of note that most people who are exposed to the EBV don't ever develop mononucleosis. The incubation period for mono, meaning the time from the initial viral infection until the appearance of symptoms, is between four and eight weeks. During an infection, a person is likely able to transmit the virus to others for at least a few weeks and possibly longer, even after symptoms have disappeared (see below).

Research has shown that, depending on the method used to detect the virus, anywhere from 20%-80% of people who have had mononucleosis and have recovered will continue to secrete the EBV in their saliva for years due to periodic "reactivations" of the viral infection. Since healthy people without symptoms also secrete the virus during reactivation episodes throughout their lifetime, isolation of people infected with EBV is not necessary. It is currently believed that these healthy people, who nevertheless secrete EBV particles, are the primary reservoir for transmission of EBV among humans.

Mononucleosis Symptoms

Mononucleosis is caused by Epstein-Barr virus, often referred to as EB virus, or EBV alone, a so called herpes virus. All herpes viruses seem to be able to survive dormant in the body after initial infection, and later, perhaps after decades, reactivated and cause new disease. The same tendency to reactivation of comorbidity is also EBV, which is mainly observed in immunocompromised patients.

The most common route of transmission is through saliva, and it is well known that kissing plays a role. The disease sometimes called "kissing disease". Children are almost never reported symptoms and mononucleosis as a clinical term affects mostly young people. These young people are when they become ill contagious for a few weeks.

The incubation period is set to four to six weeks.

Symptoms, complications, treatment and diagnostics

The predominant symptom of disease during the teenage age is a tonsillitis, with both tonsils may be very greatly swollen and often get off-white coatings. Patients usually have high fever, and lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and the groin are mostly enlarged. The spleen and liver are often much inflamed and swollen.

In some patients, particularly after adolescence the clinical picture is dominated then by fever and lymph enlargement. In severe mononucleosis patients have often difficult to drink and it is not unusual that he / she is admitted to hospital to get liquid.

Bleeding may occasionally occur in the throat and there is also a small but certain risk that the spleen may rupture with bleeding. Although complications can be seen the disease is still benign and almost always heal without sequelae although the process can be quite lengthy (up to one month). Fatigue may persist for up to one year.

It is rare that someone dies of mononucleosis. The disease is treated only "symptomatic", that is treatment against the patient's current symptoms. Diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating viral antibodies in patient's blood.

General prevention measures

No vaccine exists. It is practically impossible to guard against infection.

Pneumonia Symptoms

Pneumonia symptoms is when the lung has become inflamed, typically due to infection. The cause may be bacteria or viruses. Older people and young children are affected more often. Typical symptoms include fever, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and feeling unwell. Seek medical treatment for signs of pneumonia.

Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria. More than half of all pneumonias is caused by pneumococcus bacteria. Viruses can cause pneumonia, especially in young children. Pneumonia can be caused by other microorganisms or from use of inhaled chemicals.

The disease affects the lung's inner parts, the small air-filled bladders, called alveoli.

Before there was access to antibiotics pneumonia was a serious illness which many died. Even today, pneumonia cause of death among older overlapping with other diseases.

Symptoms of pneumonia

The first symptoms of pneumonia can be very different between different people. But the typical pneumonia symptoms, caused by a bacterial infection, usually begins with fever, chills, chest pain and coughing. The cough is dry at first, but after a while you cough up mucus from the lungs. This is often thick and green or brown with a little blood in. Children and the elderly may have pneumonia without cough.

Infection

The disease is transmitted most often by breathing in viruses or bacteria. One can also become infected by bacteria or viruses on your hands enter the body through the mouth, nose or eyes.

It is most contagious in the beginning of an infection. It can also infect the latter part of the infection, but the risk of infection decreases as soon as you start to recover.

It is mostly young children and old people suffering from pneumonia. This is because the immune system of an infant is not fully developed, while disease and aging weakens the immune system in elderly people.

The risk of contracting pneumonia may increase after a flu or copd.

Prevention of Pneumonia

If you belong to a risk group, you should get vaccinated against flu, because flu can develop into pneumonia. Influenza vaccination must be repeated each year to provide protection. The risk groups include all people over 65 or who have a heart or lung disease or other serious illnesses. You should in this case, also get vaccinated against pneumococcus.

A healthy life with just the right amount of exercise, good eating and sleeping habits and not smoking improves the body's defense against infections in general.

Bronchitis is usually caused by viruses and bacteria can cause bronchitis. Sometimes such a sinusitis cause bronchitis.

Bronchitis is contagious through respiratory and sneezing – especially in flu season. The infection is also frequently on through hand contact. If the body's immune system fails to stop infection formed an infection. The infection becomes the lining of the airways swollen and produce more mucus than usual.

Generally bronchitis go away by itself within one to two weeks. Sometimes the cough remains for another two weeks. Normally you don't need medical attention to treat bronchitis caused by bacteria when neither healing process or infectivity significantly affected.

Bronchial infection or pneumonia

Occasionally bronchitis symptoms goes over into a more powerful bronchial infection with abscess or pneumonia. Sometimes bronchi  reacts with seizure, the same symptoms as asthma provides.

Many people suffer from bronchitis once or twice a year. Young children are affected more often than adults. If bronchitis come often, be prolonged, or you may never be quite good, it may be signs of asthma or copd (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Contact the clinic for investigation.

Bronchitis is an infectious condition caused by microorganisms or other irritation in bronchi mucosa. It is often casually but can also develop into a chronic bronchitis.

Bronchi branches from the end of the air pipe and constant in finer branches ending of microscopic bubbles which lung including the oxygen absorption occurs. Bronkchitis bear the muscle tissues so they can tighten, they have an extremely mucosa that produce mucus, so the inhaled air becomes more humid as they have cilia that transport mucus with trapped dust and microorganisms up to the throat.

Bronchitis is always acute when it occurs. If the immune system is not efficient enough to be hit by a viral or a bacterial infection. Toxic fumes can also cause bronchitis. Bronchitis symptoms begin with cough, pain in the chest or neck, and an increasing production of thin mucus, which together with the constricted airways can lead to wheezing with fever.
Chronic bronchitis develops when the circumstances leading to the acute bronchitis does not change. This can be seen most often in smokers who continue to smoke. Here, the steady release of ETS in the bronchi made to inflammation permanently. Coughing is also a typical character, especially in the morning when some mucus has collected during the night. The bronchi cilia that transport mucus and dust is partly destroyed, and people with chronic bronchitis often get infections. It occurs more easily short of breath on exertion. The symptoms are worse in the dust-or smoke-filled environments or in the cold.

Asthmatic bronchitis is an allergic reaction in the bronchi which also induces infections.

Selftreatment

Eliminate from those that cause the reaction. Avoid smoking, self and others. Also avoid other smoke, dust and allergens. Make sure that you cough up mucus. Drink plenty of water. Eat well with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Some patients with asthmatic bronchitis has enjoyed the benefits of a vegetarian diet.
Limit your intake of white sugar. Make sure that you get daily exercise in the fresh air at a suitable level. Avoid prolonged cold. The strengthening the immune system with a daily supplement of antioxidants such as a daily supplement of multivitamins and minerals. Bioflavonoids enhance the effect of including C vitmin in the body.

The large air passages leading from the throat into the lungs called bronchi. When mucous membranes inside the bronchial tubes become infected it is called acute bronchitis or bronchitis – which you may encounter in connection with a cold.

Beth Jewsson, a 40 year old Minnesota teacher came for treatment of her bronchitis symptoms that was not going away after antibiotic treatment. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and treated with a pacemaker and heart bypass surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Today, she is feeling very well and very happy with her care.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways (bronchi), which results in excess mucus production. Although this type of COPD is often the result of infection, it is normally not caused. An infection can cause acute bronchitis, which is a similar condition that can last for days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis, however, persistent for months or (more often) indefinitely.

Respiratory tract linings contain cells that naturally produces mucus. The body uses mucus to trap irritants and pathogens. Small hair-like structures, called cilia, then move the mucus up the airways where it is coughed out or swallowed. It is a healthy process that frees the body from harmful substances.

Unfortunately, causes chronic bronchitis the body to produce more mucus than the cilia can handle, while the cilia themselves also become weaker. As a result, chronic cough occurs to produce coughing usually white or clear sputum (mucus). The presence of yellow-green mucus is a sign of secondary infection, often from viruses such as influenza.

Individuals can get chronic bronchitis without smoking. But while the causes are unknown, remains that smoking is one of the major risk factors. It is also possible to get bronchitis from repeated, heavy exposure to chemicals such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide and others. Usually sorts, however, this type of bronchitis up after the exposure ends.

The cough tends to be worse in the morning because mucus collected in the airway during sleep. In advanced cases, especially when accompanied by a secondary infection, can sleep disturbed. The victim is forced at least temporarily, sleeping in an upright semi-sitting position.

Diagnosing chronic bronchitis

There are several preliminary tests called PFT (pulmonary function tests) performed to diagnose chronic bronchitis, and distinguish it from emphysema, asthma and other lung disease.

In addition, conventional radiography. However (at least not until the disease is far advanced) tells X quite a bit to the doctor. The action is usually to rule out cancer or other possible problems. Instead often recommended a CT and PET scan to get a clearer picture of the lungs and airways.

Chronic Bronchitis – Is there a cure?

There is no known cure for chronic bronchitis. In rare cases the disease may resolve itself. Usually, it persists, however, and often becomes progressively worse over the years. However, chronic bronchitis need not be fatal, and patients with moderate bronchitis can get fairly normal life. Since it often makes its debut at about age 50 or later, the mortality rate can very well be the result of another cause.

Drugs such as corticosteroids used for treating the symptoms and relieve discomfort. But they have harmful side effects with prolonged use, and doctors consider many factors before using them. Fortunately, there are several other options.

General lifestyle changes are a must, especially an end to all smoking and smoke exposure, known as passive smoking. Exercise helps to maintain lung capacity, but reduced activity and calmer training is usually recommended.

Bronchitis Symptoms In Children

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. When the finest bronchial tubes become inflamed it is called bronchiolitis. Inflammation means that there is a swelling and the accumulation of white blood cell types within the lining to defend the body against any foreign substance. When inflammation is also formed more mucus, which can help to remove these substances. Coughing is another of the body's way of keeping the airways clean.

Inflammation in bronchitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or by chemical substances that the child has breathed in and irritating to mucous membranes, such as smoke. It can also be caused by asthma or something that your child is allergic to, such as pollen.

The most common cause is viral, and of different viruses are the RS virus that usually causes bronchitis and bronchiolitis in children. Another virus, discovered in recent years is the so-called human metapneumovirus. Bacteria of various kinds can also cause bronchitis, but it is less common and is usually associated with other infections such as pneumonia.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Cough is the first and most common bronchitis symptoms, but during an infection, the child may also have symptoms such as runny nose and fever. When the bronchial mucosa swells make it harder for air to pass and the child may have difficulty breathing out. The child would like to sit up, breathe faster, and sometimes you can see that the skin is drawn into the throat and between the ribs with each breath. Sometimes you can hear the beeps on exhalation.

Breathing difficulties are often stronger in infants because their airways are finer. Then it is enough that the lining of the airways swells just a little bit to make it difficult for air to pass. If the finest bronchial tubes become inflamed, the bronchiolitis, respiratory problems become even stronger. If the child also has allergies or asthma, can the muscles of the bronchial walls tighten, and then the air tube even tighter.

Care and treatment

Because the cause is usually viral and there are no effective drugs against the virus, treat the symptoms. Plenty of drinks helps to resolve phlegm better than many of the expectorant cough medicines that can be purchased at pharmacies.

Some children can easily get bronchitis at the infection and then it might be good to have reliever and sometimes anti-inflammatory medication at home. These drugs are prescription. Then, when signs of upper respiratory infection, colds and coughs to give your child medicine. Medications the child may be either inhaled using an inhaler or as liquid medicine. In this way, bronchitis symptoms alleviated or even prevented.

If the child needs to go to hospital to receive the inhaled bronchodilators and sometimes also anti-inflammatory medication. Sometimes the child will remain in the hospital a few days for observation.

When to seek medical treatment

If the child has difficulty breathing, high fever or are tired then you should seek care directly at an emergency room, pediatric clinic or medical center.

If your child has mild symptoms that do not respond then you should contact a pediatric clinic or medical center.

After infection recovering the child quickly and feel normal again. If the child easily picks up  bronchitis infections then the symptoms usually decrease with age and tend to be almost none when the child starts school.

Acute Bronchitis

With acute bronchitis refers when the airway mucosa become acutely inflamed. The cause of this inflammation is often infectious, but can also be an expression of an acute response following exposure to high doses of irritating particles or gases.

Sometimes a distinction is made between acute bronchitis and acute bronchiolitis, the later condition represents an acute inflammation of the more located airways (bronchioli). An acute inflammation of the bronchi, even if it is bacterial gives usually not fever. An acute bronchitis with fever indicates that the infection spread from bronchi to the tissue (pneumonia).

Diagnosis

The doctor often diagnos acute bronchitis if a child has difficulty breathing during a respiratory infection. Usually this is caused by a virus. Breathing difficulties indicate that inflammation is not only affecting the bronchi but also had a constriction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi, known bronchospasm. Repeated episodes may indicate that the child is developing asthma. In adults the diagnos with increasing discomfort with coughing, and mucus secretion usually as an acute worsening of chronic bronchitis in which smoking is the predominant cause. The cause is usually infectious in which discolored greenish secretions, suggesting bacterial infection.

What can cause acute bronchitis?

• Virus, which usually give rise to a cold, spreading further into the respiratory tract, the bronchial
• Bacteria, often simultaneously with, or after a viral infection
• More rarely chemical gases, fumes, dust, etc.

What happens in my bronchi at an acute bronchitis?

Virus or bacteria causes inflammation of the airways, which then causes:

• Transient mucosal lesions with irritation of the respiratory tract, causing coughing
• Increased mucus production, necessitating cough as a means to bring up mucus from the airways.
• Swelling of the mucosa, and increased mucus production, may reduce airway size. This can cause wheezing or whistling breathing
• Sometimes, those with manifest or likely to develop asthma, inflammation may be associated with the contraction of airway smooth muscle, called bronchospasm.

What aggravates acute bronchitis?

Things that may aggravate acute bronchitis, for example, smoking, cold and damp weather and air pollution.

What can I do myself?

Plenty of fluids makes it easier to cough up mucus. Avoid luftvägsirritantia, including smoking. Cough medicine can relieve symptoms FFA on the cough disturbs sleep. But remember that it is good to cough up phlegm. It is the body's own mechanism to get rid of mucus, so avoid taking too much cough syrup.

When should I seek medical attention?
 

• In case of serious breathing problems
• When the attack is much worse than usual
• Of cough with discolored mucus that is more than 1 week. Indicates persistent bacterial infection that may require antibiotics
• At the genesis of fever and affected general condition, may have pneumonia
• For prolonged cough, lasting more than a month, could be signs of asthma.

Should I take any medication?

The doctor can treat with antibiotics if the acute bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection. For other reasons, such as viruses, can not treat the actual cause of acute bronchitis, but it can alleviate symptoms if they become very troublesome. During concomitant asthma or asthma-like symptoms can luftvägsvidgande preparations with short action, beta-2 agonists, used to relieve symptoms, especially in children. Sometimes you also need to use anti-inflammatory medications such as inhaled corticosteroids.