Quick guide to ... Glandular fever

10 November 2009 1 min read Health

Glandular fever is a viral infection, which causes fever, sort throat, swollen glands and fatigue. In nearly all cases it is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Most infections of EBV in children are harmless and rarely produce any glandular fever symptoms. However, if EBV infection takes place during teenage years or early adulthood there is a far greater risk these will develop

Kissing, exposure to coughs and sneezes and sharing cups and cutlery are the most common ways EBV is spread. The contagious period can last for around two months. Most glandular fever symptoms last for around four to six weeks if left untreated. Many patients can still experience fatigue for around six months. After contracting glandular fever a patient is unlikely to be infected again as the body develops a life-long immunity

In rare cases glandular fever can cause a swollen spleen, which requires emergency surgery. Other complications include secondary infections, the most serious of which are pneumonia, meningitis and inflammation of the heart

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits: