Question

Jason was a twenty-seven-year-old nurse working in the emergency room. One night, he had to calm down a combative young man during his shift. The patients had to be admitted to detox. When Jason came home that day he noticed some crusted blood on his left finger. Two weeks later, he felt like coming down with a cold, his lymph nodes were swollen but oddly, he did not have a runny nose. Jason thought it would be best to stay home and indeed after 4 days at home he was back to his old self. The next year passed by uneventful until Jason felt a strange taste in his mouth and discovered white patches on his gums and pharynx.

1-Explain Jason symptoms. What do you suspect? Why?

2- Discuss the clinical symptoms, signs, and complications?

3- Discuss the diagnostic tests and medical treatment for this case.

Answer 1

1. Jason's symptoms include:

   In to weeks: Cold, swollen lymph nodes

A year later: Strange taste, white patches on gums and pharynx.

Based on symptoms, I suspect mononucleosis.

Because nurses have greater chances of affecting with the mononucleosis as it is contagious. Importantly, the symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, white patches in gums and pharynx direct towards mononucleosis.

2. Mononucleosis is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and spread through saliva, blood, sexual contact.

Usually virus is not serious and fatal. However, if untreated leads to,

Enlarged spleen, sinus infection, inflammation of the liver

3. Diagnosis:

• Complete blood count
• White blood cell count
• Monospot test: Antibody agaist virus is looked into blood

4. Usually the symptoms of the disease resolve in months by its own. However, corticosteroids are given to ease the symptoms of throat and tonsil swelling. Acetaminophen is given to reduce fever and keeping hydrated resolve many complications of mononucleosis.