Glandular fever is a viral infection associated with a high fever.
It's also known as infectious mononucleosis or kissing disease (long ago it was realised that the infection was passed on through saliva - for example, by kissing).
Glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus
Glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. This can attack only two types of cell in the body: those in the salivary glands and white blood cells known as B lymphocytes (B-cells).
Infection begins in the salivary glands, which release large amounts of the virus into the saliva. The infection spreads to the B lymphocytes, causing them to multiply, and causing the lymph glands to swell and become painful.
Once infected, the virus remains dormant in the body's cells for the rest of a person's life.
The diagnosis may be clear from the symptoms, but it can be confirmed by a blood test.
Because glandular fever is a viral infection, there's no specific treatment
Because glandular fever is a viral infection, there's no specific treatment. Pain relief and fever treatments (including paracetamol or ibuprofen), fluids and rest are important to help children overcome the infection. Antibiotics aren't needed and can trigger a rash in this condition.
A vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus is under development. The infection is most contagious during the feverish stage, when contact with others should be avoided.
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