Glandular fever is a disease caused by the Epstein Barr Virus, which is a very common form of virus. When young children are infected with E.B.V. however they will show very few symptoms other than perhaps mild flu-like symptoms after which the virus will pass, like chicken pox however the older the infected recipient the more severe the outcome and in teenagers and young adults it develops into glandular fever. This is particularly the case around exams or coursework and other times of heavy stress meaning it’s common for those in their late teens and early twenties to develop the condition just when they want it least.
The outward symptoms of glandular fever may not be present immediately upon infection which can lead to misdiagnosis with the first signs usually being mental and physical fatigue/lethargy and aching joints. Often this can be credited to stress, lack of sleep or psychological issues. Soon after however other problems develop, including the fever and swollen glands that give ‘glandular fever’ its name. Look for swollen lumps on your armpits, neck and groin. Other effects include headaches, weakness, sore throat (caused by the swollen glands), potentially jaundice (yellowing of the skin though this only lasts a couple of days), sore tonsils, potentially a rash (particularly on the chest) and nausea (perhaps with vomiting). It can also cause swelling of the spleen making strenuous activity ill-advised in case of possible rupture. These symptoms can be fairly debilitating and represent the acute phase of the illness, lasting around three weeks. If you or your child does have exams then make sure the examiners and teachers are aware of the condition and make suitable arrangements.
After this phase the tiredness and lack of energy will likely linger for anything from three to six months making it an illness with a relatively long lifespan. While this can be limiting, patients can still continue with their day-to-day lives albeit at a slower pace. It is unknown how long the virus remains present but it will subsequently lie dormant in the cells of the patient for the rest of their lives. While this usually causes no problem and is relatively safe, it may lead to a relapse, particularly in the year immediately following the initial contamination.
There is currently no cure for glandular fever, though symptoms can be managed with ice packs to prevent swelling and pain killers such as Neurofen and Paracetamol. Rest is obviously the best course of action and any strenuous activity should be avoided or cancelled. While the condition is not that contagious it can be spread via saliva leading to it being known as ‘The Kissing Disease’. Both kissing and sharing glasses/toothbrushes etc can spread the virus and so caution should be taken to avoid too much contact during the illness.
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