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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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