Emotional Disturbances in Children Hospitalized with Infectious Mononucleosis

Infectious Mononucleosis is an acute infectious disease caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is characterized by systemic somatic complaints consisting primarily of fatigue, malaise, fever, sore throat, cervical lymphadenopathy and accompanied by atypical large peripheral blood lymphocytes. Anxiety disorder includes concern and excessive unhappiness or unrealistic over multiple life circumstances, where the individual predict that something dangerous or distressed will happen, things that he will not be able to control. The aim of this study is to explore emotional disturbance in hospitalized children infected with EBV. Hypothesis. Children with more severe clinical manifestations of IM show higher levels of anxiety. Method. In this study are included 35 children of age group (6-12y) infected with EBV hospitalized in Pediatric Infectious Disease Ward during 2010-2014. The instruments administrated in the study are 1. Clinical data fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, hepato-splenomegaly, hospitalization period.2. State trait anxiety inventory of children (STAIC) Results. Data analysis through SPSS resulted in higher levels of anxiety in children with more severe clinical manifestations.54 % of children resulted with high levels of anxiety (29-40) score, 26 % resulted with moderate levels of anxiety (14-28) and 20 % showed low levels of anxiety. Conclusion. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis. There is a statistically significant relationship between the severity of clinical manifestations and anxiety. Recommendations. More attention should be paid towards emotional changes in children with infectious disease. Psychological wellbeing of young patients demands a good cooperation between medical staff and pediatric psychologist.