Glandular fever is a viral infection that is caused by a virus known as the Epstein – Barr virus, which is a member of the herpes virus family. The virus multiplies in the cells at the back of the throat and then advances to the lymph glands, which produce white blood cells to fight the infection. This eventually leads to a sore throat, extreme tiredness, and even swollen lymph nodes, which are enlarged primarily due to the increased workload.
Most people, especially younger children, experience no symptoms at all if infected with this virus. This means that a majority of people that have experienced glandular fever during childhood are not aware that they have ever had it. Also, since one attack confers permanent immunity, anybody who has had even a mild form of the illness will never get affected again, although the virus remains in the body for life. The most susceptible age group that may develop the virus is between 10 and 25 years, and although it is not too serious, recuperation may take some time.
The virus is very contagious and can be transmitted from person to person via saliva. Since one of the most common and obvious modes of transmission has always been through the kiss, the virus has been widely known as the “kissing disease”. However, it is also commonly transmitted via airborne droplets in coughs and sneezes.
The most common symptoms of glandular fever are a high fever, swollen glands and tonsils, a sore throat and weakness and fatigue. Some of the other symptoms include: a tendency to perspire, jaundice due to the enlargement of the liver, stomach pains, and signs of an enlarged spleen. The symptoms usually show up around 4 to 6 weeks after the individual has been infected by the virus.
When affected by this virus, it is advisable to take as much rest as possible, avoid strenuous exercise while the spleen is enlarged, and drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost through perspiration.
At times, the virus may develop into a long term condition, such as chronic fatigue syndrome.; the number of people unfortunate enough to develop complications, though, is very small. The complications include: