Glandular Fever

Glandular fever is a widely-used name for a viral infection called mononucleosis. Mono is also referred to as "infectious mononucleosis" (IM) and "the kissing disease." Glandular fever may be the most easily recognizable, perhaps even the "traditional," term for mono you'll probably hear used by hospital medics, the school nurse, or people with no medical training at all. Glandular fever is rather appropriate, because the major symptoms of mononucleosis include swollen glands in the neck and a high temperature with night sweats.

Spreading It Around

Whatever you want to call it, glandular fever or mononucleosis, it's always caused by the same virus - Epstein-Barr, or EBV for short. It's estimated that approximately 90% of adults are EBV carriers, but many people have the virus in their systems for their whole lives without it doing any harm.

EBV is spread through salvia - hence the name "kissing disease" (another appropriate description). But kissing isn't the only way for the virus to spread. EBV also lives in the bodily fluids expelled into the air (or onto household objects or office equipment) when an EBV-carrier coughs or sneezes. Likewise, it can be spread by people who already have the virus if they share plates, cups, cutlery or other eating utensils with someone who doesn't.

Don't Panic

You could be forgiven for thinking that since this virus is so easily spread around, you're bound to catch it and become ill. Well, that may happen, but it's actually quite unlikely. Most people, once initially infected with EBV, will develop life-long immunity to glandular fever. Some people only develop mild symptoms of the infection. Think about it, if 90% of adults are carrying this virus around with them, it's actually a lot more likely that you're already living happily with it in your system, and that it's not doing you any harm.

Glandular Fever Symptoms

Not everyone escapes the EB virus unscathed, unfortunately. If you do develop glandular fever, you'll probably be feeling quite ill for 4 to 6 weeks - and you are contagious (i.e. likely to pass the virus on to someone else) for two months after the initial infection occurs. Somewhere between 9 and 22% of glandular fever patients will experience symptoms for up to 6 months after infection, but this is rare. Typical symptoms include:

Swollen glands in the neck, swollen tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes in the armpits

Rash

Headaches, sweating during the night, a loss of appetite and a sore throat

Fatigue, feeling physically weak

Swelling in the spleen

You won't necessarily have all of the symptoms above, but if you have any combination of them, it's worth seeing a doctor. In any case, swollen glands or lymph nodes should always be checked out by a medical professional.

Treatment

Unfortunately, antibiotics won't sort out a viral infection such as glandular fever. Your only option therefore is to take to your bed, try to eat well, and drink lots and lots of water. You will probably need to take time off work (if only to be sure that you won't infect anyone else while you are in your contagious period). Hopefully you'll be feeling better after a few weeks.

If you do develop a secondary infection in your throat or your sinuses, you may be prescribed antibiotics or corticosteroids to help you get rid of the infection.