Hepatitis, Measles, Mononucleosis

Hepatitis

What Is Hepatitis?

The liver is one of the body's powerhouses. It helps process nutrients and metabolizes medication. The liver also helps clear the body of toxic waste products.

The word hepatitis (pronounced: heh-puh-tie-tus) means an inflammation of the liver, and it can be caused by one of many things - including a viral or bacterial infection, liver injury caused by a toxin (poison), and even an attack on the liver by the body's own immune system.

Although there are several forms of hepatitis, the condition is usually caused by one of three viruses: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C virus. The hepatitis virus is a mutating virus, which means that it changes over time and can be difficult for the body to fight. In some cases, hepatitis B or C can destroy the liver. The patient then will need a liver transplant to survive, which is not always available or successful.

• Hepatitis A
  The hepatitis A virus is transmitted through the feces (poop) of infected individuals. People usually get hepatitis A by eating food or drinking water that's been contaminated with feces. Although that sounds disgusting, hepatitis A is actually considered to be the least destructive of the hepatitis viruses. That's because, unlike the other types, it rarely leads to permanent liver damage. Within a few weeks, the symptoms will have gone away on their own and the hepatitis A virus will no longer be in your system. Once a person has recovered from a hepatitis A infection, that person has immunity to the virus, meaning he or she will probably never get it again.
• Hepatitis B
  Hepatitis B is a more serious infection. It may lead to a condition called cirrhosis (permanent scarring of the liver) or liver cancer, both of which cause severe illness and even death. Hepatitis B is transmitted from person to person through blood or other body fluids.
  In the United States, the most common way people get infected with hepatitis B is through unprotected sex with a person who has the disease. People who shoot drugs also are at risk of becoming infected because it's likely that the needles they use will not have been sterilized. In fact, about one in every 20 people living in the United States will become infected with the hepatitis B virus - and the risk of infection is greater for people who have unprotected sex or inject drugs.
  That's scary stuff given that, as yet, there's no effective cure for hepatitis B. In most cases, a teen who gets hepatitis B will recover from the disease and may develop a natural immunity to future hepatitis B infections. But some people will have the condition forever. Medications can help some people with hepatitis B get rid of the virus.
• Hepatitis C
  Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis C is transmitted from person to person through blood or other body fluids. Hepatitis C is the most serious type of hepatitis - it's now one of the most common reasons for liver transplants in adults. Every year, thousands of people in the United States die from the virus. And there's no cure and no vaccine.

An estimated 3.9 million Americans are currently infected with the virus. The most common way people become infected is through sharing drug implements such as needles and straws. People also get hepatitis C after having unprotected sex with an infected partner. Before the 1980s, many people got hepatitis C through blood transfusions, but better blood screening and handling procedures now mean that this rarely happens.

The medications currently used to treat hepatitis C are effective in controlling the disease in some people. However, hepatitis C treatments are not very easy, because they require weekly injections for 6 to 12 months, as well as taking other medications by mouth.

Measles

What are Measles?

Measles, also called rubeola, is best known for its typical skin rash. It is, however, primarily a respiratory infection. The first symptoms are irritability, runny nose, eyes that are red and sensitive to light, hacking cough, and a fever as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 degrees Celsius).

Fever peaks with the appearance of the rash, which typically begins on the forehead, then spreads downward over the face, neck, and body. The afflicted is particularly ill-looking during the first days of the rash. It usually takes about 3 days for the rash to make its way down to the feet. Once the rash appears on the legs and feet, symptoms usually subside within 2 days.

The rash itself looks like large flat red to brown blotches that often flow into one another to completely cover the skin, especially on the face and shoulders. The rash fades in the same order that it appeared, forehead first and feet last. The total time for the rash, from beginning to end, head to toe, is usually about 6 days. As the rash disappears, the healing skin may look brown temporarily, before it sheds in a finely textured peel.

One special identifying sign of measles is Koplik's spots. These are small, red, irregularly-shaped spots with blue-white centers found inside the mouth. Koplik's spots usually appear 1 to 2 days before the measles rash and may be noticed by a doctor looking for the cause of the person's fever and cough.

Measles can lead to many different complications: croup, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, myocarditis, hepatitis, and encephalitis. Measles can also make the body more susceptible to ear infections or pneumonias caused by bacteria. Symptoms and complications of measles are usually most severe in adults.

Measles is a respiratory infection caused by the measles virus. Before immunization was available, measles occurred in springtime epidemics, usually in cycles of 2 or 3 years.

Infants are generally protected from measles for 6 to 8 months after birth, due to immunity that was passed on from their mothers. Older children are usually immunized against measles according to state and school health regulations. Currently, outbreaks of measles are occurring most often on college campuses, among young persons who have either not been adequately immunized against measles, or whose immunity has decreased since childhood.

Prevention:

Measles is prevented by a vaccine that can be given before, or within 3 days after, exposure to the disease. In most children, measles vaccine is given as part of the mumps-measles-rubella immunizations (MMR) - one given at age 15 months, and the second at 11 to 12 years. Measles vaccine is not usually given to infants younger than 13 months old, except in times of measles outbreaks. In this case, a dose of measles vaccine alone may be given at 9 months, followed by the usual MMR immunization at 15 months.

Measles vaccine made before 1979 may not have been as effective as vaccine made today. Because of this, doctors often recommend that persons vaccinated before 1980 receive another measles vaccination if a measles outbreak occurs in their area, especially if they are in school. A blood test can be performed to determine a person's immunity and whether they need another immunization.

Measles vaccine occasionally causes side effects in persons with no underlying health problems. In about 10% of cases there is a fever between 5 and 12 days after vaccination, and in about 5% of cases there is a rash.

In special situations (pregnant women, infants, persons with cancer, tuberculosis, or depressed immune systems), persons exposed to measles can also be protected from infection by an injection of antibodies called gamma globulin. Gamma globulin is given within 6 days of exposure, and it either prevents measles or makes symptoms less severe.

As is the case with all immunization schedules, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. Your doctor should have the most current information regarding recommendations about the measles immunization.

When to Call a Doctor

Close contact with your doctor will let you both monitor the progress and will help you to spot any complications. Take your  temperature at least once each morning and each evening, and keep a record. If fever goes above 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) bring it down using non aspirin fever medications such as acetaminophen.

Drink clear fluids: water, fruit juice, tea, and lemonade. Fluids will help replace body water lost in the heat and sweating of fever episodes. Fluids will also help reduce the chance of lung infections (pneumonia) because they prevent lung secretions from becoming thick and clogging the breathing passages.

Use a cool-mist vaporizer to relieve cough and to soothe breathing passages. Clean the vaporizer each day to prevent mold from growing. Avoid hot-water or steam vaporizers that can cause accidental burns and scalds in children.

People with measles should not read or watch television while their eyes are sensitive to light. They should rest and avoid busy activities. It is usually safe  to return to school about 7 to 10 days after the fever and rash are gone.

Mononucleosis

What Is Mono?

Infectious mononucleosis (pronounced: mon-oh-new-klee-oh-sis), sometimes called "mono" or "the kissing disease," is an infection that is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A similar illness can be caused by other viruses, such as cytomegalovirus (pronounced: sy-tow-meh-gah-low-vy-rus).

EBV is very common. Most people become infected with it at some point during their lives, but not everyone develops mono when they get infected. Most of the people who do get the illness are between the ages of 15 and 25; children usually don't have symptoms of mono when they become infected with EBV.

EBV is classified as one of several herpes viruses, but it is not one of the viruses that cause cold sores or genital herpes. Like other herpes viruses, once you've been infected with EBV, it stays in your body for the rest of your life. It may reappear in your saliva from time to time, but you usually won't get the symptoms of mono again from this virus.

How Do I Know Whether I Have It?

Symptoms usually begin to appear 4 to 7 weeks after you've been infected with the virus. Signs that you may have mono include:

• being tired all the time
• fever
• sore throat
• loss of appetite
• swollen lymph nodes (also commonly known as glands, located in your neck, underarms, and groin)
• headaches
• sore muscles
• larger-than-normal liver and spleen
• skin rash
• abdominal pain

People who have mono may have different combinations of these symptoms, and some people may have symptoms so mild that they hardly notice them. Other people may have no symptoms at all.

Even if you have several of these symptoms, don't try to diagnose yourself. Always consult your doctor if you have a fever, sore throat, and swollen glands or are unusually tired for no apparent reason.

Because these symptoms are so general and can be symptoms of other illnesses, a doctor may mistake mononucleosis for the flu or even strep throat. In fact, occasionally some teens may have mono and strep throat at the same time. To help make a diagnosis, the doctor may want to take some blood tests to determine if mono is causing your symptoms. But even if the blood tests indicate that you have mono, there isn't much the doctor can do other than advise you to drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest.

How Can I Get Better?

There is no cure for mononucleosis, but the good news is that even if you do nothing, the illness will go away by itself, usually in 3 to 4 weeks. Because mono is caused by a virus, antibiotics such as penicillin won't help unless you have a secondary infection like strep throat. In fact, certain antibiotics can even cause a rash if you take them while you have mono.

Although there's no magic pill for mono, you can do some things to feel better. The best treatment is to get plenty of rest, especially during the beginning stages of the illness when your symptoms are the worst. Put yourself to bed and pass on school, sports, and that party you wanted to go to.

For the fever and aching muscles, try acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin). (Steer clear of aspirin unless your doctor tells you to take it - it's been linked to a serious disease in kids and teens called Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and death.) If you have a sore throat, chew gum, drink tea with honey, or suck on hard candy or Popsicles. Even if you're not hungry, try to eat a well-balanced diet and drink lots of water and juices to prevent dehydration. You can get some nutrition and soothe your throat with cold fruit smoothies or low-fat shakes.

When you start feeling better, take it slowly. Although you can return to school once your fever disappears, you may still feel tired. Your body will tell you when it's time to rest - listen to it. By taking good care of yourself and resting as much as you need to, you will soon be back to normal, usually within a few weeks.

Doctors also recommend avoiding sports for at least a month after the illness because the spleen is usually enlarged temporarily while you are ill. An enlarged spleen can rupture easily, causing bleeding, fever, and abdominal pain and requiring emergency surgery. Do not participate in contact sports, cheerleading, or even wrestling with your little siblings or your friends until your doctor gives you permission.

As you recover, make sure you don't share the virus with your friends and family. Chances are they will not get the disease from casual contact with you, but you can take a few steps to help them stay germfree. Wash your hands often, cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and keep your drinks and eating utensils to yourself. This is one time when your friends and family will thank you for being selfish.

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