Glandular fever, or infectious mononucleosis, is a viral infection, normally caused by the highly common Epstein-barr virus, that leads to a fever & swelling of the glands â?? hence the name. It also causes a sore throat & fatigue. Fatigue is of the most often experienced & prominent of the signs & this can last for months or more in unfortunate cases leading to extended periods of time off work.
The Epstein-barr virus is of the most common of all viruses & is thought to be present in around 90% of adults, having infected them at childhood & then lain dormant in the cells of the throat & blood. As with plenty of viruses, the signs are more extreme when they occur later in life, & in teenagers it will often present itself as glandular fever. Glandular fever then is most common between the ages of 15 & 25, & at this point is contagious through kissing or inhaling air-born particles.
Regrettably there is no 'cure' for glandular fever, so treatment revolves around management. Time will must be taken off of school, college or work for at least a month after the signs first emerge. In the coursework of this time it is important to get lots of rest & relaxation & to keep away from stress. It is also highly important to drink lots of fluids to keep away from dehydration & fight the fever. Pain killers & corticosteroids can be used to treat the painful signs, but antibiotics will show ineffectual. In some cases the sufferer may also break out in a rash, usually across their back, in which case creams can be used to alleviate soreness. Saltwater can sometimes alleviate a sore throat, as can soft foods such as ice cream or yogurt which will sooth the throat. To help overcome the fatigue you could also try using stimulants & high energy foods â?? carb sources such as bananas can help, & vitamin B6 can further help your body to make use of those carbs to their fullest & to extract the maximum amount of energy from them as feasible.
Following the preliminary month of the signs you will then require to slowly return to regular activity. This will require a gradual build up; exercise can greatly help our energy levels & a range of other factors, but those suffering from glandular fever will basically lack the energy levels to launch straight in to a full blown workout regime. Basically start moving around more & going for walks, before later participating in some gentle exercise. Consult your doctor regarding the best types of exercise that won't exacerbate your condition.
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