Jannie
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Joined: 03 Mar 2006
Posts: 424
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 Posted: 09/04/06 - 07:39 Post subject: |
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I hope you do mean Epstein-Barr virus, and not Guillain-Barre syndrome because these two terms could be easily mistaken. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a nervous system disorder, which causes muscle weakness and is likely to lead to paralysis. It is very disabling. This disorder usually occurs after viral or bacterial infection like the common cold, infectious mononucleosis, viral hepatitis or a gastrointestinal viral infection, etc. GBS could be an autoimmune disorder in which the body alone starts producing antibodies that will attack its own cells.
Epstein-Barr virus belongs to herpes virus family and if a child contracts it, it may cause no symptoms or very mild symptoms. If an adolescent contracts it, they may end up with infectious mononucleosis 35% to 50% of the time. Mononucleosis last for around 4 weeks and then it resolves on its own. The most common symptoms of mononucleosis are sore throat, fever and swollen lymph glands. Sometimes the virus may affect the spleen, liver, even heart but this is rear. If mononucleosis’ symptoms persist for a few months or so, a patient may be suspected of chronic fatigue syndrome although many doctors dispute that. Chronic fatigue syndrome is also disabling disorder as it leaves a person without energy, will but leave them with tiredness and depression. |
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