Glandular fever is another term health providers use to refer to infectious mononucleosis, also known simply as mononucleosis or mono. This condition, caused by certain viruses, is common among children and adolescents. Because it is mostly transmitted by contact with the saliva of an infected individual, it is also known as the kissing disease. One of the common consequences of infectious mononucleosis is lingering post-infection fatigue.
Causes
The most common virus associated with glandular fever or mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus. Another virus that causes glandular fever is CMV, or cytomegalovirus. According to the University of Dundee, post-viral fatigue can also be caused by the flu virus. The peak incidence of these viruses is during the autumn and winter months. Post-viral fatigue may last for weeks or months after the initial onset of infection.
Symptoms
In general, the symptoms of glandular fever start with fatigue, a general feeling of illness, headache, and sore throat. According to PubMed Health, after the initial symptoms, the sore throat worsens, and the tonsils become significantly enlarged. Glands or lymph nodes become enlarged as well, particularly those around the neck, the armpits, and the groin. Other symptoms include drowsiness, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, and enlargement of the spleen. According to the Merck Manual , fatigue lasting for months occurs in less than 2% of cases of infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
Post-viral Fatigue
According to the University of Dundee, post--viral fatigue, when it occurs, can be a debilitating condition. Sleep disturbances are common, with the affected person sleeping between ten to fifteen hours a day. Poor appetite can result in an irregular feeding pattern. The fatigue can affect your concentration, cause doubt and self-criticism, which can lead to mood swings, withdrawal from social life, and feelings of vulnerability and stress.
Treatment and Complications
The treatment of glandular fever is supportive. You should drink plenty of fluid and get plenty of rest. Gargling warm salt water can help ease the throat swelling. For post-viral fatigue, the important thing to remember is that it is a self-limited condition that eventually gets better on its own. Complications of glandular fever include hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver; jaundice, or a yellowish tinge of the skin; and hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the body breaks down red blood cells, the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.
