Nov 04 2008
Symptoms of Glandular Fever (Epstein Barr or mononucleosis)
Let’s have a look at the most common symptoms of glandular fever.
Symptoms typically include:
- Swollen glands usually in the neck, but sometimes in the armpits or groin
- Fever - ranging from mild to extreme
- Fatigue – can be debilitating and prolonged
- Sore throat – ranging from slight to extreme
Like any infection, some patients will also suffer from:
- Headaches
- Sore muscles
- Poor appetite
- Nausea with vomiting and/or diarrhea in some cases
- Skin rash (often seen in children)
- Abdominal pain (especially in children)
- Puffy eyelids
- Sensitivity to light
- Cough, congestion or runny nose
- Liver inflammation and soreness
- Enlarged, painful spleen
Some people, particularly children, may exhibit none of these classical symptoms. When my young 3 year old son picked up glandular fever we just passed it off as a mild cold. It was only a few months later when he had a blood test done, that we realised it was glandular fever.
Most glandular fever symptoms are mild and will disappear within a couple of weeks when adequate rest, fluids, an immune-boosting diet and the right supplements and herbs are taken (see my e-book for further ideas).
In rare cases, glandular fever symptoms can be severe, and in fact may be life-threatening. It is often in the patients who are above the age of 25 or 30 that symptoms can be uncomfortable and prolonged.
In the next post we’ll have a look at the four glandular fever symptoms that you should never ignore.
Just wanted to tell you about my daughters recent attack of glandular fever
which presented none of the common symptoms and lead to her having a 10 day
stay in a HDU unit where she received 2 blood transfusions because the virus attacked
her liver and spleen and her HB went down to 5. Her symptoms on day one were severe
headaches, nausea tiredness and temperature of 103f, by day 5 she had pains in her side
and back, by day 9 i instinctively felt this was no ordinary virus as she had no cold or sore throat like other people who were coming down with seasonal illnesses. I had noticed she was looking yellowish in colour so took her to the GP who sent her to hospital. She was checked over by the on duty consultant in A and E who wanted to discharge her, but was waiting for a blood result to eliminate certain causes as her urine was the colour of rust. By coincidence a renal consultant took an interest and examined her and was the first to mention glandular fever. She was admitted to hospital where she deteriated further as described in my first sentence. Finally the virus withdrew its attack on her organs as the doctors described and she has left hospital. i think this account could be of importance in the future diagnosis for other people who may present such symptoms.
kind regards
maria van day
Hi Maria,
Thank you for your post. I’m sorry to hear of your daughter’s experiences with glandular fever.
It must have been a very worrying time for you. I’m sure your post will help others who may
have similar symptoms to seek medical assistance and not pass their symptoms off lightly.
I hope your daughter has fully recovered.
Regards
Elizabeth