Some excerpts from a recent article (Sept 2014):
"Glandular fever is a type of viral infection. It is also known as infectious mononucleosis. It can cause fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and glands.
It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is one of the most common viruses that can affect humans. Most EBV infections occur during early childhood. They usually produce few or no symptoms. Afterwards, the virus will remain in the body for life, lying dormant in a number of throat and blood cells.
When an EBV infection occurs during the teenage years, or early adulthood, it will lead to the development of glandular fever. This is why the majority of glandular fever cases occur in teenagers and young people aged between 15 and 25. Nonetheless, the condition can affect people of any age group.
During the infection, the immune system fabricates antibodies to fight the virus. This then provides lifelong immunity. Therefore, it is rare to have more than one bout of glandular fever.
The virus is contagious. It can be passed on by coming into contact with the saliva of someone who is currently infected with the condition. As may occur when kissing, hence its other name - the kissing disease, via coughs and sneezes and when sharing cutlery and crockery, such as cups, plates and spoons.
A person remains contagious for at least two months after initial infection with EBV. Some people can have EBV in their saliva for up to 18 months after infection.
There is no cure for glandular fever. In most cases, the majority of the symptoms should pass within four to six weeks without treatment. Fatigue can sometimes persist for longer. In most people, fatigue will end after three months. Full recovery is usual"
Symptoms: (Excerpts)
- Flu-like symptoms. As is the case with many virus infections, glandular fever often causes fever and temperature, aches, headaches, and feeling sick.
- A skin rash can appear in some individuals. Widespread, red, non-itchy.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea.
- Malaise. A feeling of intense tiredness and weakness often develops.
- Sore throat. The tenderness may be mild, but commonly the throat is very sore, red, and swollen. It resembles a bad bout of tonsillitis. Glandular fever is typically suspected when 'tonsillitis' is severe and lasts longer than usual. Swallowing is often painful.
- Spleen. This organ is under the ribs on the left side of the abdomen and part of the immune system. Like the lymph glands, it swells and can sometimes be felt below the ribs. Occasionally, it causes mild pain in the upper left section of the abdomen.
- Swelling around eyes. About 1 in 5 people with glandular fever become quite puffy and swollen around the eyes. This disappears rapidly.
- Swollen glands. As the body's immune system fights off the virus the lymph glands swell. Any lymph nodes in the body can be affected, but the glands in the neck and the armpits are usually the most prominent. They can become swollen and tender.
- No symptoms. This is called a sub-clinical infection. Many people become infected with this virus but do not develop symptoms.
- The liver can be affected. In some cases, the infection can affect the liver. This can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the eyes). It is more common in people who are over 30 years of age."
[See enclosed link for full article]
Your views are welcome! - Sundar
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167390.php
Some more details on glandular fever from Wikipedia:
Infectious mononucleosis (IM; also known as mono, glandular fever, Pfeiffer's disease, Filatov's disease, and sometimes colloquially as the kissing disease from its transmission by saliva) is an infectious, widespread viral disease most commonly caused by the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), one type of herpes virus, against which over 90% of adults are likely to have acquired immunity by the age of 40. Occasionally, the symptoms can recur at a later period.[2] Most people are exposed to the virus as children, when the disease produces no noticeable or only flu-like symptoms. In developing countries, people are exposed to the virus in early childhood more often than in developed countries. As a result, the disease in its observable form is more common in developed countries. It is most common among adolescents and young adults.
Especially in adolescents and young adults, the disease is characterized by fever, sore throat and fatigue, along with several other possible signs and symptoms. It is primarily diagnosed by observation of symptoms, but suspicion can be confirmed by several diagnostic tests. It is generally a self-limiting disease, and little treatment is normally required. (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infectious_mononucleosis
Glandular fever also known as ‘infectious mononucleosis’ is an infection caused by a virus named Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). It mainly affects young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years. The symptoms of glandular fever include fever, fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, abdominal discomfort due to swollen spleen and joint pains.
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Glandular fever is a type of viral infection that mostly affects young adults.
It is also known as infectious mononucleosis, or "mono".
Common symptoms include:
a high temperature (fever)
a severely sore throat
swollen glands in the neck
fatigue (extreme tiredness)
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