Glandular Fever – Causes, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatments

21 November, 2011 No Comment

Glandular Fever is a kind of viral infection and also known as infectious mononucleosis. Glandular Fever is also known as the kissing disease because of oral transmission caused by Epstein barr virus which is a type of herpes virus. Epstein barr virus is one of the most common types of viruses which can affect a human body.

Most Epstein barr virus occurs in children and usually produces no symptoms. People of 10 and 25 years of age group are most vulnerable to Glandular Fever. The treatment of this viral infection is to ease the symptoms as the illness pass out without causing any serious problem.

Glandular Fever Causes

Glandular Fever can spread through saliva which can be exchanged through kissing that is why Glandular Fever is also known as kissing disease. Glandular Fever can also be transmitted through coughs, sneezes, drinking or eating food together, sharing eating utensils such as spoons, glasses etc.

Symptoms

Before Glandular Fever break out, one or two weeks may pass with symptoms similar to flu. There is a possibility that a person can become infected without showing any symptoms which is also known as a subclinical infection. Following are the symptoms of Glandular Fever:

Severe Fatigue.
Sweating.
Sore throat with heavily white coating and swollen tonsils.
Development of swelling and puffiness around eyes.
Headache.
Swelling and mild pain in lymph glands.
Muscle Pain.
Sore and swollen armpits, groin and lymph nodes.
Enlargement of liver and jaundice.

Tests

The patient suffering from Glandular Fever can be recommended following tests to confirm the disease:

Blood Tests – Blood tests is one of the preferred test prescribed by doctors for the confirmation of Glandular Fever. There are two types of blood tests which are helpful in diagnosing Glandular Fever.

WBC test – this test is performed to check the quantity of whit blood cells in the body and in case the quantity of white blood cell is higher than usual than it is confirmed that body has an infection.
Anti body test – This test is done to detect the presence of specific antibodies to Epstein barr virus in the body.

Physical Examination – the patient can undergo a physical examination which is done to detect the occurrence of swollen tonsils, liver, spleen and lymph nodes.

Treatment Of Glandular Fever

There is no specific treatment available for Glandular Fever. The symptoms are controlled by following treatment:

Painkillers – The patient is given painkillers like tylenol or ibuprofen which helps in bringing down the fever and reduces pain. This need to keep in mind that children under age of 16 years should not be given aspirin.
Antibiotics – As glandular Fever is caused by a virus and not by bacteria and antibiotics are used to kill bacteria but still it is recommended by doctors in order to prevent other infections.
Rest – In case of Glandular Fever the patient recovers fast when he or she is given complete rest during the initial period after symptoms.