Glandular fever is an older but still-used term for mononucleosis, an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Mononucleosis, sometimes called the "kissing disease" because it spreads by direct contact with saliva rather than respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, infects nearly everyone by age 35, MayoClinic.com reports. If you have an Epstein-Barr virus, your symptoms can range from not feeling sick at all to extreme fatigue that lasts for weeks. About half of all teenagers and adults who have Epstein-Barr become ill with mononucleosis, MayoClinic.com adds. Several diseases have symptoms similar to mononucleosis.
Long-Lasting Fatigue
The hallmark of glandular fever, extreme fatigue that can last for months but usually is worse in the first few weeks, occurs in several other viral illnesses. Chronic fatigue syndrome, a disease whose cause remains unknown, causes severe fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours after any type of physical exertion. Cytomegalovirus, like Epstein-Barr, is a herpesvirus that causes symptoms that fit the "mononucleosis syndrome", MedlinePlus states. Cytomegalovirus, often called just CMV, causes fatigue similar to mononucleosis. A CMV infection normally causes no symptoms if you have a normally functioning immune system, but can cause serious illness in people with compromised immune systems, such as people taking anti-rejection medications after organ transplant or those undergoing chemotherapy. Fatigue can last for several months after CMV infection, MedlinePlus says. Many other diseases, such as acute hepatitis, can also cause severe fatigue that lasts for months.
Swollen Glands and Sore Throat
Mononucleosis causes painful swollen glands -- hence the name glandular fever. In some people, swollen glands can be the only sign of an Epstein-Barr infection, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library states. Mononucleosis can cause a severe sore throat as well. A CMV infection can also cause swollen glands that last for up to four weeks. Swollen glands and sore throat also commonly occur in chronic fatigue syndrome. Swollen glands can also occur with other types of infection, including tonsillitis, ear infections, gum and mouth infection and colds and flu.
Fever
Mononucleosis also causes fever that rises in the late afternoon and evening and can take several weeks to disappear. Similar fevers occur in CMV and acute hepatitis. Chronic fatigue syndrome doesn't usually cause a fever. Fever can also occur if you have any other type of acute or chronic infection.
Spleen and Liver Enlargement
Mononucleosis often causes the spleen and liver to enlarge. The spleen can rupture, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure. Liver enzymes are elevated in 95 percent of cases of mononucleosis, The Merck Manuals state. Spleen and liver problems also occur in CMV infections and can take up to four weeks to resolve, according to MedlinePlus. Acute hepatitis can also cause liver enlargement and tenderness.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Mononucleosis
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Infectious Mononucleosis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- MedlinePlus: Acute Cytomegalovirus Infection
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Acute Viral Hepatitis
- MayoClinic.com:Mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr: What's the Connection?
