Glandular fever
glandular; fever;
Contents
Many young people get glandular fever as they reach the later years of high school. The older a person is, the longer it can take to get better. Young children often are only unwell for a week or so.
Glandular fever is also called Infectious Mononucleosis or 'mono'.
What is glandular fever?
Glandular fever is caused by a virus called the Epstein-Barr virus. Epstein and Barr were two medical researchers who had the virus named after them (what a claim to fame - how would you boast about that to your mates?).
Not everyone who comes in contact with the virus will get glandular fever, however those who do get it in their teens often seem to get quite unwell with it. Once you get it, it can take a long time before you feel really well again, and it can flare up again during the next few months, but then you won't get it again.
How is it spread?
- It is sometimes called the kissing disease because it can spread by close contact like kissing. The virus can be passed on by contact with the saliva of a person who has glandular fever. So people can also catch it from sharing a drink from the same cup or bottle.
- Glandular fever is not very contagious (it does not spread easily). Also many people will already have had the infection, and will not catch it from someone who is ill with glandular fever.
- There is no vaccine to protect people against glandular fever.
Some people get it much worse than others and take a long time to get better. The lucky ones hardly know they have it. Symptoms of glandular fever include:
- swollen lymph glands
- a swollen liver or a swollen spleen
- sore throat
- fever - high temperature
- tiredness - this can go on for weeks
- general aches and pains
- rash
- bruising
- sweating at night
- jaundice - going yellow (rarely).
How can you tell for sure?
Your doctor will need to hear about all your symptoms and examine you. If she thinks it could be glandular fever, she can order a blood test to tell for sure. Other viruses can cause similar symptoms.
How do you get better?
Your doctor or health professional can give you specific advice. There is no cure. What you can do to get better is to deal with the symptoms. Take notice of what your body is telling you. If you're body is saying "I'm tired", then give it a rest. You may find you can get up and about for a while, but then need to rest again. Rest when your body tells you to rest.
Cut down on exercise, especially vigorous exercise. In some very rare circumstances your spleen could even rupture, so take it easy. If you play sport, you might find that you're getting tired easily. Give yourself a break from sport until you feel better. The same goes for the gym - take it easy or give it a break. The more you rest, the sooner you'll feel better and be back enjoying sport and exercise again.
It's important to really look after your body at this time.
Your body is telling you
- That it needs healthy foods (see healthy eating), rest and light exercise if you feel up to it.
- Cut down on late nights.
- Cut down on alcohol - your liver is already having a hard enough time dealing with the virus without the added burden of labouring to remove alcohol from your blood. Alcohol will make you sicker.
This is the time to catch up on reading, school work, quiet hobbies and interests, sleeping, surfing the net and watching TV.
When to see your doctor
Contact your doctor when you're not feeling well, when you feel tired and run down or have a sore throat. You're the expert on how you're body is feeling so listen to your body and see the doctor when you think you should.
If you're at school, work or other study, you might need a doctor's certificate for time off, or for extensions on your school work, essays, projects and papers. See the doc early on when you're unwell. The doctor can't write a certificate for you if he/she didn't see you when you were unwell.
Resources
South Australia
- Your family doctor
- Your local hospital
- Your local community health centre
- The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
- Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
- North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
-West: 51 Bower St, Woodville
- Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19
References
Mayo Clinic (USA) 'Mononucleosis'
http://www.mayoclinic.com (Search for 'mononucleosis')
MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, USA)
http://www.medlineplus.gov (Search for 'Glandular fever')
National Center for Infectious Diseases (USA) 'Epstein-Barr virus and Infectious Mononucleosis'
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ebv.htm
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).