Glandular fever information

 
Glandular fever is an infectious condition. Its medical term is ‘infectious mononucleosis’. It can occur at any age, but is most common in teenagers and young adults. It used to be called the ‘kissing disease’ as this is one of the ways it can be spread.

What causes glandular fever?

Glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which 90 per cent of adults have in their body. EBV infections usually don’t cause problems but when they happen in teenagers and young adults they can develop into glandular fever.

The incubation period between catching the virus and developing symptoms can be two to four weeks. The virus is most infectious when combined with a high temperature.

Glandular fever is spread through saliva (spit). The most common ways are through kissing, sneezes and coughs, or sharing cutlery, glasses and cups.

What are the signs and symptoms of glandular fever?

About half of all teenagers and young adults who come into contact with the virus will develop common symptoms. These include:

• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Swollen glands in the neck, armpits and groin
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Extreme tiredness
• Feeling generally unwell with a high temperature

A person will often have cold or flu like symptoms for a couple of weeks beforehand.

How is glandular fever normally diagnosed?

Glandular fever is diagnosed by a blood test.

How is glandular fever treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure and because glandular fever is caused by a virus, antibiotics are not effective.

Instead, you will be advised how best to treat the symptoms to ensure the child is as comfortable as possible.

Make sure the child is drinking plenty of water, especially if they have a high temperature, to reduce the risk of dehydration. Also give paracetamol to help relieve any pain and reduce the child’s temperature.

Recovery can be a slow process. It is important for the child to rest when they are feeling tired or running a fever. Also, as the child begins to feel better, they should increase their activity only gradually - doing a little more each day.

For most teenagers and young adults, recovery is a slow process but they will be able to gradually increase their activity levels over time. Stressful situations can make recovery slower, so if the child is facing exams you should talk to their teacher.

Glandular fever has been reported as the trigger for a condition called (also called ME) but this is not the case for everyone.

What happens next?

For most teenagers and young adults, recovery is a slow process but they will be able to gradually increase activity over time without complications.

It is usually recommended though that anyone who has had glandular fever should not take part in strenuous sports for at least a month after the infection, or sometimes longer. This is to allow the spleen to recover because if it is swollen, it could be damaged easily. This means the child may need to avoid contact sports like rugby and football. Your doctor will be able to give you more details on this.

Sometimes complications can happen but they are very rare. These include pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), hepatitis and some blood abnormalities. If the initial diagnosis was uncertain and a child was prescribed an antibiotic such as ampicillin or amoxicillin, they can develop quite extensive drug rash if they do have underlying glandular fever.  

It is estimated that around one in ten people who have had glandular fever will go on to develop  a condition which makes you tired and weak for a long time.

After having the disease, a person will develop some immunity to it. However because the virus remains dormant in the body, it is possible that later in life the virus may reactivate.

Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis)

What is glandular fever?

Infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as glandular fever, is a that's caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.

The disease is characterized by a swollen lymph nodes (usually in the neck) and extreme.
Young people aged between 10 and 25 years are most vulnerable to this infection. The treatment is to ease the symptoms, and the illness usually passes without serious problems

How is glandular fever contracted?

The infection is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that's transferred from one person to another in saliva. Kissing is one obvious way by which the disease can be transmitted. But the infection is also spread via airborne droplets.
The incubation period from infection to when the symptoms first appear is between 30 and 50 days.

What are the symptoms of glandular fever?

• It's possible to become infected with this virus and to develop no symptoms. This is referred to as a sub clinical infection.
• Before the disease breaks out, one to two weeks may pass with symptoms that are similar to those of flu.
• A with swollen tonsils that are heavily covered by a white.
• Severe fatigue.
• Muscle pains.
• In 20 per cent of cases: swelling and puffiness may develop around the eyes, settling after one to two days.
• Tendency to sweat.
• Like the lymph glands, your spleen is part of the immune system and can become swollen. If this occurs, it can sometimes be felt below the ribs on the left-hand side of the abdomen and may occasionally cause mild pain.
• Swollen and sore lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and the groin.
• The liver may become enlarged and yellow may develop.
• There may be a non-itchy widespread, red rash that quickly disappears.

How does the doctor make the diagnosis?

The diagnosis is made on the pattern of symptoms,and occasionally a throat swab may be taken to exclude a bacterial infection.

Good advice

• Hot drinks can relieve the sore throat.
• Drink plenty of fluids when you run a fever.
• Rest when you're tired or are running a fever.
• Resume physical activities slowly.
• Wait at least eight weeks before resuming activities, involving heavy physical strain.
• It's sensible to avoid drinking alcohol for six weeks, while recovering from glandular fever.

Can I exercise while I am ill?

Theoretically, there's a risk of damage to the spleen while participating in heavy physical activities – such as those involving body contact. Therefore, it's recommended not to exercise until four weeks after the disease has ended.
Because of the severe fatigue, it may take several months before the patient is perfectly fit again after glandular fever. But the majority of people recover much more quickly.

Future prospects

Glandular fever usually takes two to four weeks and resolves itself without complications. In about 3 per cent of all cases, it goes on longer. After having the disease, a person will have lifelong immunity to it – so will not catch it again.
Possible, but rare, complications of glandular fever include the following.

• The respiratory passages may become partially blocked and require a short course of oral steroid therapy to help to reduce the inflammation.
•  requiring antibiotic therapy.
• The spleen may rupture – this happens in 0.1 to 0.2 per cent of all cases.
• Very rarely, the central nervous system may be infected by the virus and can cause complications like or.
• The number of blood platelets may decrease .
• Rarely, the disease may lead on to chronic fatigue.

How is glandular fever treated ?

There's no efficient treatment of infections caused by the Epstein-Barr virus other than to ease the symptoms.

Glandular fever

If you have a very sore throat, swollen glands in your neck or in other parts of your body, and if you have been feeling very tired and unwell, you may have glandular fever. Go to your doctor to get it checked out.

 What is glandular fever? 

 

Glandular fever is common and is sometimes called ‘The Kissing Disease’ because the virus that causes it is found in saliva and is passed on by close contact such as kissing.  The medical name for glandular fever is Infectious Mononucleosis.

 

How is it spread?

 

Through saliva and close contact, such as kissing, but also sharing things like cups or toothbrushes. It can be spread when the person you get it from is sick, but also sometimes when they feel well.
It takes about 4 to 7 weeks to get sick after getting the virus.

 

Symptoms

 

They usually start slowly. You might start to feel sick, tired, have a headache, tummy pains, not feel like eating or have aches and pains across your body.
One or two weeks later your throat will get very sore and you will usually have a fever (up to 39°C), and large tonsils, sometimes with white spots on them, and you will feel sicker. You may get a rash.
Glands (lymph glands) will swell and get tender, especially those in your neck. Your spleen and liver usually are also affected (get bigger than usual and not work as well as usual). It is important to avoid sport if your spleen is swollen (see your doctor).

 

How long will I have it?

 

Many people recover after about a week, but you might feel tired and unwell for several weeks. Sometimes, during the first year after getting glandular fever, you may get sick again for a week or so. After that, it usually stays away for good.

 

Can I see other people?

 

Yes, when you are feeling up to it. There is no need to stay away from other people, so you can return to school or work when you feel well enough. Wash your hands, don't share cups, etc and stop kissing people for a couple of weeks to avoid giving the virus to others. Sitting close to someone with glandular fever or hugging without kissing does not spread the infection.

Glandular fever - symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, recovery

Almost anyone, at any age, can catch glandular fever.  However, it most commonly occurs in mid to late adolescence and early adulthood.  Studies suggest the infection occurs slightly more often in males than in females.

Glandular fever (also known as infectious mononucleosis) causes symptoms similar to  that vary in severity and can persist for several weeks or longer. 

It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBB), which is a member of the herpes virus family.  Most people will be exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus, and will have developed some degree of immunity to it, by the time they reach adulthood.

 

Signs and symptoms

 

The incubation period for glandular fever is relatively lengthy. The first signs and symptoms of the infection may not appear until approximately four to eight weeks after exposure to the virus. 

Symptoms are generally at their worst about a week after they first appear and most symptoms will have resolved within three weeks.  However, the severity and duration of symptoms can vary considerably between individuals. Symptoms are generally less severe in young children, who may have either no symptoms or only a mild flu-like illness. The older the person when they develop glandular fever, the more severe the symptoms are likely to be.  It is possible for symptoms to persist for several weeks and even for several months.

Initial symptoms commonly include:  

• Loss of appetite
• Chills
• Mental and physical fatigue/weakness
• Aching muscles.

These symptoms are usually followed 2-3 days later by: 

• Fever
• Headache
• Sore, reddened throat with enlarged tonsils
• Swollen glands in the neck, armpits and/or groin.

The spleen is enlarged in about 50% of cases and the liver is enlarged in about 20% of cases. In a small percentage of cases a blotchy red rash can occur. Jaundice occurs rarely and, when it does, it generally only lasts 1-2 days. 

 

Diagnosis

 

The doctor will take a full history of the symptoms and will perform a physical examination. This will include an assessment of whether there is: 

• Fever
• Redness of the throat and swelling of the tonsils
• Enlargement of the lymph nodes
• Enlargement of the spleen
• A rash (especially on the chest).

The doctor is also likely to take blood tests to check for the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus.  A blood test performed in the early stage of glandular fever may return a negative result.  For this reason the doctor may recommend further blood tests a few days later. 

 

Treatment and recovery

 

As glandular fever is caused by a virus there is no specific treatment and antibiotics are of no benefit. It is considered to be a self-limiting infection which resolves with time.  Getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluid is very important during recovery.  Pain and discomfort can usually be adequately treated with pain relief medication such as paracetamol.  In severe cases steroid medication (e.g. prisoner) may be prescribed to reduce pain and swelling of the lymph nodes.

Occasionally the sore throat present with glandular fever can be associated with caused by streptococcal bacteria.  Antibiotics may be prescribed in these cases in order to combat the bacteria.

An enlarged spleen can be easily damaged. For this reason it is recommended that strenuous activity and exercise, as well as contact sports, be avoided for at least four weeks after the first symptoms appear, or until the spleen returns to a normal size.

As glandular fever can cause the liver to become enlarged, it is important to avoid alcohol while the condition is present.

 

Possible complications

Rarely, glandular fever can lead to complications that affect other body systems. These complications include: 

• Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardial)
• Inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardia)
• Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
• Pneumonia
• Rupture of the spleen
• Destruction of red blood cells and/or platelets.

In some people, glandular fever can lead to symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. This syndrome leaves the person feeling tired, weak and listless.  The symptoms can continue for an extended period after the infection seems to have cleared, but this is not common.

 

Transmission of the virus

 

Glandular fever is not considered to be a highly infectious condition. The transmission of saliva from one person to another is the most common way of spreading the virus.  Because of this, glandular fever is often called “the kissing disease”. Coughing and sneezing, as well as sharing drink bottles and utensils, can spread the virus. The virus can also be transmitted through blood transfusion and organ transplantation.

The virus remains in the mouth and throat for some time after a person has recovered. It is estimated that a person remains infectious for up to a year after contracting glandular fever.  Because of this, person to person transmission is difficult to trace.

  

After an episode of glandular fever the Epstein-Barr virus lies latent in the cells of the body for life. Infection with the virus is usually sufficient to provide long-term immunity from the condition.  However it is possible for the condition to recur.  If it does, it's usually in the first year following the initial infection.

Glandular fever - symptoms, treatment and prevention

Glandular fever is an infection caused by the Epstein Barr virus (EBV). It is also called Infectious Mononucleosis and sometimes the ‘Kissing Disease’. Once a person catches Epstein Barr virus, it is believed that the virus remains in his or her body for life, though it usually does not cause further illness. By adulthood, 90 to 95% of people have been infected with EBV.

How glandular fever is spread

 

Glandular fever is spread from person-to-person through contact with saliva. Young children may be infected by saliva on the hands of care givers or by sucking and sharing toys, but the virus does not survive very well in the environment. Kissing results in spread among young adults.

Signs and symptoms

 

Symptoms of acute glandular fever include:

• fever
• sore throat
• swollen glands
• abdominal pain and jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) occur less frequently.

Symptomatic infection most often occurs in older children and young adults. When the infection occurs in young children, symptoms are mild or absent. Up to 50% of people infected have no symptoms of infection at all.
The illness can last between 1 and several weeks and very rarely a chronic form develops. Illness can be more severe in those who have lowered immunity and in some ethnic groups serious complications may occur many years after the initial infection.

Diagnosis

 

Diagnosis is made by a blood test.

Incubation period

(time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)
4 to 6 weeks.

Infectious period

(time during which an infected person can infect others)
Not accurately known. The virus is shed in the saliva for up to a year after illness and intermittently thereafter.

Treatment

 

Seek medical advice if difficulty with swallowing or abdominal pain occurs.
Medication for control of fever may be required.
There is no effective antiviral drug available.
Contact sports and heavy lifting should be avoided for the first month after illness because of risk of damage to the spleen, which often is enlarged during acute infection.
Most patients with glandular fever recover uneventfully.

Symptoms of glandular fever

Symptoms of glandular fever take around one to two months to develop after infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. This is known as the incubation period.

 

Common symptoms

 

The most common symptoms of glandular fever are:

• a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
• a usually more painful than any previous throat infection you may have had
• swollen glands (nodes) in your neck and possibly in other parts of your body, such as under your armpits

In addition to throat pain, you may also have:

• swollen tonsils
• the inside of your throat may be very red and ooze fluid
• swollen adenoids, which are two lumps of tissue at the back of your nose
• small purple spots on the roof of your mouth

 

Other symptoms

 

Other symptoms of glandular fever include:

• fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• a general sense of feeling unwell
• chills
• sweats
• loss of appetite
• pain behind your eyes
• swelling of your spleen – this may cause a noticeable and tender swelling or lump in the left side of your abdomen (tummy)
• swelling or "puffiness" around your eyes
• swelling of your liver – this usually causes mild pain and tenderness in the lower right side of your abdomen
•  yellowing of the whites of your eyes and skin 

 

The course of the infection

 

In most cases of glandular fever, the symptoms will resolve within two to three weeks of the initial infection. Your sore throat will be at its worst for three to five days after symptoms start before gradually improving, and your fever will usually last 10 to 14 days.
Fatigue is the most persistent symptom and can last for several weeks. However, in about one in 10 people fatigue lasts for up to six months. Most people will be able to resume normal activities within one to two months.

When to seek medical advice

 

You should contact your GP if you suspect that you or your child has developed glandular fever.
While there is little that your GP can do in terms of treatment other than provide advice and support, may be needed to rule out less common but more serious causes of your symptoms, such as (a viral infection that can cause liver disease) and.
Seek urgent medical help if you or your child experience any sudden, intense lower abdominal pain.

Glandular fever

 Glandular fever is a type of viral infection that mostly affects young adults. 

Common symptoms of glandular fever include:

• a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
• sore throat
• swollen nodes (glands) in the neck
• fatigue (extreme tiredness)

Read more about the
Glandular fever is not usually a serious threat to a person's health, but can be unpleasant and last several weeks.

Diagnosing glandular fever

 

To diagnose glandular fever, your GP will first ask about your symptoms before carrying out a physical examination. They will look for characteristic signs of glandular fever, such as swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, liver and spleen.
To help confirm the diagnosis, your GP may recommend that you have a known as an antibody test.
If you are pregnant, you may be tested for other possible causes of your symptoms, such as or  to make sure there is no risk to your unborn baby.

Causes of glandular fever

 

Most cases of glandular fever are caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the most common viruses to affect humans.
Most EBV infections are thought to take place during childhood and cause mild symptoms. However, if a person develops an EBV infection during early adulthood, they can develop symptoms of glandular fever.
Glandular fever is spread through saliva. It can be spread through:

• kissing (it is often referred to as the "kissing disease")
• exposure to coughs and sneezes
• sharing eating and drinking utensils, such as cups, glasses and unwashed forks and spoons

Someone with glandular fever is contagious for at least two months after initially being infected with EBV. However, some people can have EBV in their saliva for up to 18 months after having the infection. A few may continue to have the virus in their saliva on and off for years.
Once you have had glandular fever, it is highly unlikely you will develop a second bout of the infection. This is because almost everyone develops a life-long immunity to glandular fever after the initial infection.
Read more about the.

Treating glandular fever

 

There is no cure for glandular fever. Treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms, such as using painkillers to ease pain and reduce fever.
Most symptoms of glandular fever should pass within two to three weeks without treatment. However, fatigue can last longer, sometimes up to six months.
Read more about.
Complications associated with glandular fever are uncommon, but when they occur they can be serious. They can include:

• secondary infection of the brain or nervous system
• breathing difficulties as a result of the tonsils becoming massively swollen
• ruptured (burst) spleen, which is a life-threatening emergency – the spleen is an organ that plays an important role in fighting off infection (this complication is very rare, occurring in just one in 1,000 cases)

Dial 999 for an ambulance if you have glandular fever and you experience sudden, intense abdominal pain.
Read more about the.

Who is affected?

 

Glandular fever is an uncommon type of infection. It is estimated that one in every 200 people will develop glandular fever in any given year.
Most cases affect young adults between the ages of 15 to 24, although cases have been reported in people of all ages. Both sexes are equally affected.
Due to the improving standards of hygiene in Western countries, the number of cases of glandular fever is expected to rise. This is because fewer children are being exposed to EBV, which means they are more likely to develop the infection in early adulthood.

Tips to get glowing skin in summer

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: Summer requires you to pay an extra amount of attention to your skin. Heat, warmth of sun, hot winds cause skin damage, tanning, uneven skin and redness.

Summers leave most of the skin bare to sun heat and dry winds of June. In addition it`s time to prepare your skin that already undergoes colds of winter and dryness of fall season

Every woman wants a sun kissed glowing skin during summer that appears more feminine and silky soft. There`s no hard rule for it but all you need is to follow some simple steps to achieve such a sun kissed skin.

 Exfoliate your skin

The first step to take for a change is to exfoliate your skin. The moisturizers alone do not play any role inflowing skin unless it is exfoliated regularly. Gently rub your skin with most preferably a herbal body scrub before taking bath. Choose a facial scrub for face and neck. Do exfoliate your skin almost thrice a

week to achieve a beautiful glowing skin.

Hydrate your skin

Now that you have removed dead cells from your skin, the next is to apply a good body lotion. To hydrate your skin you must massage that lotion gently on skin leaving it silky soft. After shower, moisturize your body with a cool refreshing summery lotion to store.

Use Sunblock cream

For those who do not want their skin to tan, apply some good sun block cream whenever your skin exposes to sun. Remember never to use your old sun screen that you bought last year, throw them away and buy a new one for good results.