Glandular fever (infectiousmononucleosis) is a mild infectious disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr (EB) virus, one of the herpes viruses. As with any harmful infection, the body's immune system fights the EB virus infection by activating large numbers of lymphocytes.
Glandular fever occurs most often in young adults but also strikes children and older people. Direct contact between people-kissing, for example - can spread the disease. The chief symptoms include chills, fever, sore throat, and fatigue. The disease is called glandular fever because swelling occurs in the lymphatic glands, especially those in the neck. Symptoms may also include an enlarged spleen, inflamed mouth and gums, skin rash, jaundice, and an enlarged liver. Depending on the seriousness of the case, most doctors recommend mild to complete bed rest for a glandular fever patient. The disease is not fatal, and most patients recover within three to six weeks. Blood tests are used to diagnose glandular fever. In a test used widely for many years, a sample of the patient' s blood is mixed with sheep's blood. If the patient has the disease, the sheep's blood cells stick together. Newer, more sophisticated tests identify glandular fever by detecting specific antibodies believed to be formed in the blood to fight the EB virus. Research Glandular Fever
Abbreviations
Medicine
Research Glandular Fever