The mono blog

About 20% of people experience complications from the Epstein Barr virus that causes glandular fever or mononucleosis. These complications can include:

• Thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in platelets (the blood cells responsible for blood clotting), has been noted in up to 50% of people with mononucleosis. It is usually mild and not life threatening. If severe, corticosteroids may be used to treat this complication.
• Auto immune hemolytic anemia (a condition in which the body destroys red blood cells) occurs in 1-3% of people with mononucleosis. It usually becomes clinically apparent during the second or third week of illness.
• Heart inflammation.
• Nerve damage, possibly leading to Guillain-Barr’e syndrome, Bell’s Palsy, meningitis and seizures.
• Encephalitis – inflammation of the brain lining.
• Severely swollen glands that compromise breathing and swallowing.
• Pneumonia.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome that is characterized by debilitating fatigue that lasts for 6 months or longer. It can also feature pains in the joints and muscles, headache, brain fog, poor sleep, bowel dysfunction and tender lymph nodes.

Complications of the Epstein Barr virus can cause much more serious illnesses in people with impaired immune systems, like those with HIV/AIDS or people taking drugs to suppress immunity following organ transplants.

To minimize complications from Epstein Barr it is essential that the body is well rested and plenty of fluids are taken. Natural treatments that can help include the use of vitamins, minerals, herbs, an immune-boosting diet, homeopathy, essential oils and stress reduction. These therapies are discussed in the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.

Tags: complications of Epstein Barr, Epstein Barr complications, glandular fever complications, mononucleosis complications