Glandular fever, also called infectious mononucleosis, is a viral disease causing swollen lymph nodes and a sore throat that’s common in adolescence and early maturity.
Glandular fever is called the “kissing disease” of adolescence and early adulthood because it’s primarily transmitted in spit. Its name comes from the symptoms, including extensive swollen lymph glands and a high temperature. Initially, the sickness may be mistaken for tonsillitis, but it’s more intense and lasts longer.
What Is The Cause?
Infectious mononucleosis is due to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which attacks lymphocytes, the white blood cells that are in charge of fighting disease. EBV disease is quite common, and about 9 in 10 people have been infected by the age of 50. Over half of infected individuals don’t develop symptoms and, therefore, are oblivious that they have been infected
What Are The Symptoms?
If symptoms of infectious mononucleosis grow, they normally do thus 4-6 weeks after disease and appear over several days. Symptoms may include:
- high temperature and perspiration
- incredibly sore throat, causing difficulty swallowing
- swollen tonsils, usually covered with a thick greyish-white coating
- enlarged, tender lymph glands in the neck, armpits and crotch
- painful abdomen as the effect of an enlarged spleen rash.
These distinguishing symptoms are often accompanied by poor appetite, fat loss, headache and tiredness. In some individuals, the sore throat and temperature clear up quickly and the other symptoms last less than a month. Others may be sick more and may feel lethargic and depressed for months after the illness. Glandular fever was one of the first virus infections recognized as leaving behind post-viral fatique syndrome.
What Might Be Done?
Your physician will likely diagnose the disease from your enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat and fever. A blood test may be carried out to try to find antibodies against EBV in order to verify the identification. A throat swab can also be taken to exclude bacterial disease, which would have to be treated with antibiotics.
There isn’t any special treatment for infectious mononucleosis, but straightforward measures may help alleviate symptoms.
Drinking lots of cool fluids, and taking over the counter painkillers, including paracetamol, may help control the high temperature and pain. Contact sports should be avoided while the spleen is enlarged due to the risk of rupture, which causes serious internal bleeding and can be life threatening.
What Is The Prognosis?
Nearly everyone who has infectious mononucleosis makes a complete recovery eventually. Nevertheless, in many people, healing may be slow, and tiredness and depression may continue for weeks or even months after the symptoms first appear. One attack of the disorder, with or without symptoms, supplies lifelong protection.
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