Epstein Barr Virus
 

Anyone dealt with this and how did you get over it ?

Our 11 year old came back from holiday with the worst virus I've seen on any of our 4 kids. In fact we took him to the Childrens hospital fearing he had meningococcal, as he was so incredibly listless and in pain. Takes a lot for us to take a kid to the Childrens .... normally only for broken limbs.

Still not sure what he has got 1 week later, but still very listless and in pain and the Doctor at the Childrens said it probably was EBV. Which is basically Glandular fever I think.

Is this one of these things that has to run it's course, or is there something you can do to make the child feel better ?

I've never seen a kid knocked out so bad by a virus. Certainly not one of ours.

Sunday today, so it's either back to the hospital... or we will take him to a non bulk billing doctor tomorrow and see if they can take the time to make an accurate and firm diagnosis.

So if anyone has had EBV can you let me know how long it took to get over it ?

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Yea, i had it a few years ago. What you mean by pain? I was just extremely tired all the time

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Sons got abdominable pain with this and vomiting. So we are not sure if the Doctor was correct.

We queried appendicitis at the time as well.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Did the doctor take a blood test to confirm EBV?

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Keep him well hydrated(not easy but VERY important) and if yer not happy take him to yer local emergency dept and DONT leave until you are happy.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Not yet, that was a hospital visit at 1.30am on Tuesday....we were waiting for the symptoms to die down but they havent.... so we will be doing the blood test thing tomorrow.


Very different virus this one. It could be one of those Mossie Virus things. We are keeping him Hyrdrated, but it's hard work and he doesnt want to know.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Hi Ozzieeagle

Sorry to hear about your son. I'm sure you've had a look yourself but a quick google brought up this:

Symptoms of Epstein-Barr Virus
The infection develops slowly with such mild symptoms that it may initially be indistinguishable from a cold or the flu. As the condition progresses the symptoms may include:

* A sore throat that lasts two weeks or more
* Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin
* A persistent fever (usually about 102 degrees F)
* Fatigue
* Malaise (a vague feeling of discomfort)

//www.healthscout.com/ency/68/44/main.html

I'd definitely be looking at getting a second opinion. If your son's been vomiting all week then he's probably going to be dehydrated.

Hope he's ok soon :)

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

If it was appendicitis trust me you would know,the pain would be extreme,but well worth mentioning again if seeking medical attention.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Taking him back to the Childrens, because of the Hydration issue.

Cannot repeat how unusual that is for us in our 27 years of parenting.... Broken bones only usually.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Life is like that my friend.You really need to get on top of the hydration issue,important for all of us but esp kids:thumbup:

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Sorry, wrote a reply about the wrong virus, was confusing it with Guillain Barre syndrome which is very nasty.

Hope the poor lad gets a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment asap! Make sure he rests even if he thinks he feels better. My son was told to keep off his bike for a long while after he had GF and not allowed to do his usual exercise.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

The spleen can be involved in EBV infection, causing abdominal discomfort.

For some reason - I can't remember why - teenagers are much more affected than adults or infants.

Teens should abstain from contact sports for at least 3 months, due to the (low) risk of the spleen rupturing.

Pls keep us updated :)

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

He is on a drip down at the hospital at present, got seen straight away. Had some blood tests, apparently has an enlarged liver, and will probably be kept in overnight.

Still dont know exactly what is wrong with him.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Wishing him a speedy recovery - before you know it he will be back on his feet and under yours!!!!!

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Where did he go on holiday? Could be a vital clue as to what he's picked up - sorry I may have been watching too much of House on tv! Has he been in river water or had he had a cut that something could have got into? He could have picked up some bug that has given him a liver infection.

I know someone over here who picked up something on a trip (okay it was to India) and it was misdiagnosed here by the GP and the poor guy ended up very ill in hospital. Fortunately he recovered but only because he was in hospital and got proper tests but it was something to do with a water bourne virus or bugs in the water.

Glad to hear he's now in hospital and fingers crossed that he gets better soon.

KK

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Could it be Hepatitis A???

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

In the best place now anyway. Hope he has a speedy recovery. Severe pain doesn't sound regular with GF but if it is GF be prepared for a long haul - it can last months. The husband was off school for nearly three months as a kid and that time also covered the summer holidays.

Hope it's something different but that's easily treatable.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Thanks all, Yes he definitely is in overnight, as they are still not sure what he has got.

Hopefully it is something easily treatable. I've got to take a night off work to look after Daughter number 3, as the Wife is staying at the hospital with him.

Bit of a unpleasant surprise.... I guess the good thing is it shows the hospital system works really well.

Just had a look at Hepatitis A and he does have most of those symptoms..... except for the Jaundice... Guess we will wait and see.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

A friend of mine who is a doctor her daughter was ill for months and had extreme lethargie she could not go to school. My friend realised based on her medical knowledge and the lengthy time of repeated viruses, lethargie etc that her daughter had developed Epstein Barr. She did lots of reaserch and put her daughter on a very intense program of vitamins.

Now I do not have time to go in to this further except to say I now live in the U.S where I feel there is excessive use of prescription drugs, I avoid doctors here unless absolutely nessesary .My doctor friend back in England did not want her daughter on long term medication. Although I do not know the full details of what she gave her daughter (I know it was not prescribed medicines at all) that it worked and she gradually gained her strength and is now ok.

Do lots of research. I will ask her if you want me to just leave me a note. I wish you all the best with your son.

P.S I am not some way out hippie chick, my family take prescribed medicines if really needed.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Many thanks, we may just do that, have exactly the same thoughts about medicines ourselves, only when really necessary. Appreciate this a lot :)

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Taking him to Royal Childrens is definitely way to go.

A&E docs seem better with breaks and cuts...my toddler was sent away with a 'she is allergic to Nurofen" diagnosis from A&E, when she actually had a virus.

RCH seem to be more used to a variety of children's illnesses and are far more thorough.

Hope he is better soon. Keep us updated.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Swine flu has similar symptoms but I guess they've already ruled that out?

I really hope you get some answers tomorrow and that he improves quickly. Let us know how he's doing.......

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

I had glandular fever when I was 12. I was off school for about a month and wasn't allowed to do anything really strenuous for a year after - but still did sport etc as usual. It really does knock you backwards. My brother had it when he was 7, but much worse than me. He actually caught it in hospital when he went in for eye surgery. Our family doc visited him a couple of times a day to avoid him having to go back into hospital.

One really strange symptom was my teeth getting a nasty coating on them, almost like a skin.

Good luck to the patient.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Recovered by the skin of your teeth? ;)

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I hope they manage to get to the bottom of it and that he is on the mend soon. I had Glandular Fever 3 years ago, in what was meant to be the final year of my teaching degree, I was ill for a few months and even when I managed to get rid of it I still suffered from nausea, vomiting and other illnessess for weeks. I was lucky, I know people who haven't managed to fight it off so quickly. Rest is the most important thing, as well as fluids.

Good Luck and keep us posted! :)

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Keep us posted mate, it's a shitter when kids are sick, you just feel so helpless. Wishing your lad a speedy recovery:thumbup:

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

My son is about to be discharged from hospital, with confirmed Glandular Fever. Not knowing exactly, was obviously the worst part.

Many thanks for everyones good wishes.... Wifes been with him there since around this time yesterday.

I think she may need a cup of Tea when she gets back :)

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Definitely have a look at vitamin supplements for glandular fever. I had it when I was about 17 and it was rotten. The doctors wouldnt prescribe anything other than nurefen for the pain, and it took ages to recover. My doctor recommended echinacea, which I was religious about for ages, but I am not sure about it anymore.

I think I lived on double creamy double chocolate ice-cream and mushroom soup for a month :thumbsup: That was the good bit. But I couldnt really swallow and that was all I could face. It certainly helped to cheer me up.

I hope he gets better soon!

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

Hope he doesn't have it for long and don't let him do anything too physical even if he thinks he can, could knock him back for even longer.

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

glad he's finally been diagnosed and hope it doesn't last too long; poor kid

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

It must be a relief to finally know what it is. Make sure he gets plenty of rest and doesn't push himself too much or too soon as it can really affect the recover time.
The best advice I can give is to go and hire lots of DVDs, stock up on foods he likes make sure he drinks lots of water and juice.
I was also put onto something called 'Tissue Salts' especially for Glandular issues, you can get them at the Health Food Stores or Pharmacy.

Good Luck:)

Re: Epstein Barr Virus
 

At least you know what is it now Ozzie. Not knowing is the worst.
I hope he's on the mend soon.
Julie. x