Glandular Fever – What is it, Causes and Treatments!
Glandular Fever – What is it Causes and Treatments There is currently no cure for Glandular Fever . Also, Glandular Fever is a type of viral infection . It is also called infectious mononucleosis. It usually manifests as a high fever , sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and extreme tiredness or fatigue.
Jaundice can also occur in a small number of people. Usually Glandular Fever does not run a serious course but can last for several weeks, disabling the person. This is a disease that normally affect young adults.
Glandular fever usually presents with flu-like symptoms, such as fever , fatigue, sore throat and headache. This is usually accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes under the neck and in the armpits. Other possible symptoms include a rash, swollen spleen, night sweats, and decreased appetite. So, check now Glandular Fever – What is it, Causes and Treatments:
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Causes of Glandular Fever: Glandular Fever is caused byEinstein-Bar virus (EBV) . EBV is most commonly spread through the saliva of someone who carries the infection . For example, it can be spread through:
- Kisses Glandular Fever is sometimes referred to as the “ kissing disease .
- Sharing food and drinks.
- Sharing toothbrushes.
- Exposure to coughing and sneezing.
Young children can be infected by chew toys that have been contaminated with Glandular Fever . When you come into contact with infected saliva, the virus can infect cells in the lining of your throat. The infection is then passed on to your white blood cells before it spreads through your lymphatic system.
This is a series of glands (nodes) found throughout your body that allows many of the cells your immune system needs to travel around the body. After Glandular Fever has passed, people develop vital immunity to the virus and most will not develop symptoms again.
Many people are first exposed to EBV during childhood, when the infection causes few symptoms and often goes unrecognized before eventually passing. Young adults may be at greater risk of Glandular Fever because they may not have been exposed to the virus when they were younger and the infection tends to produce more severe symptoms when you are older.
The most common symptoms of the condition are :
- A high temperature ( fever ).
- A sore throat – this is usually more painful than any you have had before.
- Swollen glands in your neck and possibly other parts of your body, such as under your armpits.
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness).
Other Symptoms: Glandular Fever can also cause:
- A general feeling of being unwell.
- Sore muscles.
- goosebumps.
- To sweat.
- loss of appetite.
- Pain around or behind your eyes.
- Inflamed tonsils and adenoids (small pieces of tissue at the back of your nose), which can affect your breathing.
- The inside of the throat to become very red and flow.
- Tiny red or purple spots on the roof of your mouth.
- A rash.
- Swelling or “ puffiness ” around your eyes.
- A tender or swollen belly.
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
Some of these symptoms may develop a few days before the main symptoms mentioned above.
Treating Glandular Fever: There is currently no cure for Glandular Fever , but the symptoms should pass within a few weeks. There are things you can do to help manage your symptoms .
Fluids, it is important to drink plenty of fluids (preferably water or unsweetened fruit juice) to avoid dehydration. Avoid alcohol as it can harm your liver, which may already be compromised by the infection . Painkillers.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain and Glandular Fever . Children under 16 should not take aspirin because there is a small risk that it could trigger a rare but serious health condition called Reye’s syndrome. Regular gargling with a warm salt water solution can also help soothe your sore throat, rest.
Preventing the Spread of Infection: It is not necessary to isolate yourself from others if they have Glandular Fever , as most people are already immune to the Epstein -Barr virus (EBV). You can go back to work, college or school as soon as you feel well enough.
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There is little risk of spreading Glandular Fever to others as long as you follow common sense precautions while you are sick, such as not kissing other people or sharing utensils. It is also important to thoroughly clean anything that may have been contaminated by saliva until you have recovered.