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Glandular fever

Glandular fever

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Average rating: 4 out of 5 star rating

goodtoknow says: Glandular Fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is often known as 'the kissing disease' because it can be passed from one person to another in saliva. Glandular Fever is most likely to affect teenagers and young people and is highly contagious spreading through close contact not just kissing. Symptoms include a very sore throat, swollen glands, high temperature and extreme tiredness. Drink plenty of fluids, even if swallowing is difficult, and take painkillers. Most people make a complete recovery from glandular fever within a few weeks, although they may feel tired for a little longer.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) from patient.co.uk, read on.

Infectious Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis is commonly known as glandular fever. It is caused by a virus (the Epstein-Barr virus). Although it can make you feel quite ill, full recovery is usual. Do not play rough or contact sports such as rugby for eight weeks after having glandular fever (see why below).

Who gets glandular fever?

It can affect people of any age, but is most common in young adults and teenagers. The virus is contagious and can be passed on to others by close contact. The immune system makes antibodies during the infection. These clear the virus and then provide lifelong immunity. Therefore, it is rare to have more than one bout of glandular fever.

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nannajacqui, 28 days

Glandular fever can reoccur.It did with my youngest son, he had it twice,at 18 and 24yrs.. I had it in my thirties and i didn't get over the fatigue for months...Nnd some people are carriers of any desease they only get mild symptoms and pass it on to others....

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Horis karloff, about 1 year

I had Glandular fever at the age of 41, This is how it started. I was working for a couple weeks with what I thought was a bad cold/flu. Then on my day off I felt really hot but in cold weather, I knew i had a fever. My girlfreind gave me a spicy meal of which burnd my throat. She gave me a hot bath but I allmost passed out. my urin was brown and eyes gone yellow. It was found my liver was inflamed with hepatitis a result of the fever. We both went to the Royal free Hospital in hampstead and there they diagnosed Glandular Fever. I was in hospital for 6 days on a drip for dehydration and anti-biotics. Be careful who you kiss, my girlfriend was Nigerian and may have had it.

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Larrissa Rippin, about 1 year

I used to have Glandular fever and i was stuck on the sofa for a month... I went to the doctors and they gave me amoxillillin (which is a treatment for toncilitus.)After having that for a week i came out in a rash all over my body...Which was quite itchy. Then i had to go to the hospital which was realli scary for me as i had never been before. They tested my blood pressure and wee .. but i wouldn't let them to a blood test. There are some really nice doctors.. one even told me if i wanted something or to talk about something i could go and see him about it and it's not very often that they do, do that when your just about to leave and they catch you at the last minute. The doctors miss treated me for it i didn't have toncilitus [angry] They made me worse and im only 13 [blush Im still gettin tired quicker than usual and worse head aches which is annoying because it stops me from doing what i like more often... (dancing ) Thanks for reading [grin] XxX

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its 'anonymous' again, about 1 year

welll? has anyone got an answer to my previous question? im freaking out here! haha

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anonymous, about 1 year

About a month ago i kissed a guy. And about 2 weeks later he was hospitalized with glandular fever. Although im 100% certain that i wasn't the one who gave it to him. is it possible that i could have it? as i have never had the sickness before. If so how long do you think it will take before i feel the effects?

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stacey lacie, about 1 year

That's helpful, but not very much at all. Go here for quite a comprehensive post on glandular fever: http://richelectron.blogspot.com/2008/04/overcoming-glandular-fever.html

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