The viral infection mostly affects young adults but is not uncommon in children.
What is glandular fever?
Glandular fever is a type of viral infection that is most common among 15 to 24 years and can last for several weeks.
While the viral infection is mostly linked to young adults, it is also common among adolescents and teenagers and can spread to younger children.
The fever is spread through saliva and can be contracted through exposure to things like coughs and sneezes, and sharing eating and drinking utensils.
It is contagious for at least two months and the virus can last in the saliva for up to 18 months.
However, once you have glandular fever once, it is unlikely that you will get it again because most people develop an immunity to the infection after the first bout.
What are the symptoms of glandular fever?
Symptoms of the infection in children can be mild to non-existent, however, if present should pass between two to three weeks after infection but they can remain quite fatigued for some time after.
Common symptoms include a high temperature of 38 degrees or above, a sore throat more painful than usual, and swollen glands in their neck and possibly in their underarms.
Other symptoms include:
- swollen tonsils
- redness and fluid in the throat
- swelling at the back of the nose
- small purple spots on the roof of your mouth
- fatigue
- headaches
- chills
- sweats
- loss of appetite
How do you treat glandular fever?
While there is currently no cure for glandular fever, there are plenty of things you can do to ease the symptoms.
Plenty of bed rest is recommended for the first two or three weeks after they first start experiencing symptoms.
It’s also recommended that they drink plenty of water and unsweetened fruit juice to help relieve the symptoms of fever and sore throat. Gargling with salt water is also a great way to relieve a sore throat. It’s advised that they stay away from alcohol while suffering from the infection.
Painkillers can obviously help relieve any pains or fever they may be experiencing.
While antibiotics cannot treat a viral infection like glandular fever, they can treat any secondary bacterial infections that may be present in the throat.
