CHARACTERISTICS AND TREAMTMENT OF COMMON LYMPHATIC DISORDERS LYMPHATIC SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS AND TREAMTMENT OF COMMON LYMPHATIC DISORDERS

TONSILITIS In childhood, tonsils become infected and enlarged Difficulty swallowing Tonsillectomy in extreme cases

LYMPHADENITIS Adenitis Swelling (enlargement) of lymph glands Occurs when infection present and body making WBCs to fight infection Term “swollen glands” is used frequently for this condition

HODGKIN’S DISEASE Cancer of lymph nodes Painless swelling of lymph node early symptom Rx – chemotherapy and radiation Good results

MONONUCLEOSIS Mono or “kissing disease” Caused by virus (Epstein-Barr) Young adults and children Spread by oral contact Symptoms – lymphadenitis, fever, physical and mental fatigue, and increase in leukocytes Rx - bedrest Sometimes the liver may be affected and hepatitis can occur

HYPERSENSITIVITY Abnormal response to drug or allergen Body’s immune system fails to protect itself against foreign material Instead, antibodies made in response to foreign material (allergen) irritate certain body cells Allergen – antigen that causes allergic response (ex. ragweed, penicillin, bee and wasp stings, foods, etc.) Hypersensitive or allergic person is generally more sensitive to certain allergens than most people

ANAPHYLAXIS (ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK) Severe and sometimes fatal allergic reaction Antigen-antibody response stimulates massive secretion of histamine Can be caused by insect stings and injected drugs Symptoms – breathing problems, headache, facial swelling, falling blood pressure, stomach cramps, vomiting Rx – Adrenaline or antihistamine If proper care is not given immediately, death may occur in minutes Those prone should wear medic alert bracelet

AIDS and HIV Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus Cause – HIV virus Three responses to HIV infection: a. AIDS – full disorder b. ARC – AIDS-related complex c. Asymptomatic infection Screening test for HIV available AIDS victim subject to opportunistic infections (cancer, infections) that a healthy person would fight off but AIDS victim has compromised immune response Incubation period – 1 month to 12 years

AIDS and HIV continued Rx and prevention – advances being made Currently drugs such as AZT, Protease inhibitors, combination called “AIDS cocktail” ARC – AIDS-related complex – HIV but not AIDS – less severe symptoms Transmission a. Sex with someone HIV positive b. Sharing needles with infected drug users c. At birth from infected mother Cannot be spread by casual contact, coughing, sneezing, shaking hands and sharing eating utensils Prevention – avoid risky behaviors and observe standard precautions along with education and training