Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Infectious mononucleosis mono is often called the kissing disease.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Enlarged spleen Open pop-up dialog box Close. Enlarged spleen The spleen is a small organ usually about the size of your fist. More Information Mononucleosis: Can it recur? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Epstein-Barr virus infection. Mayo Clinic; About infectious mononucleosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Dec. Sullivan JL. Clinical manifestations and treatment of Epstein-Barr infection. Aronson MD.
Skip to main content. Home Infections. Glandular fever. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms of glandular fever Cause of glandular fever Diagnosis of glandular fever Treatment for glandular fever Where to get help.
Symptoms of glandular fever Fever and sore throat with exudate deposits of fluid around the tonsils and pharynx are typical symptoms of glandular fever. Other clinical features include: enlarged lymph nodes lymphadenopathy enlargement of the spleen splenomegaly — this occurs in 50 per cent of cases jaundice yellow discolouration of the skin and eyes — this affects approximately four per cent of people with glandular fever.
Cause of glandular fever Glandular fever spreads through close, personal contact and is transmitted by saliva. Diagnosis of glandular fever If you think you have glandular fever, blood tests can show whether you have the infection.
Treatment for glandular fever There is no specific treatment for glandular fever. To prevent the spread of glandular fever: Make sure you use proper hygiene, including handwashing. Avoid sharing drink containers. Disinfect articles soiled with nose and throat discharges, for example, handkerchiefs. Excluding children from childcare is generally not advised because: most people are infected by asymptomatic carriers people who have no symptoms it would be impractical, as the virus is excreted for many months after the initial illness.
Treating the symptoms of glandular fever While glandular fever itself cannot be treated, you can treat the symptoms to try and remove some of the discomfort. Suggestions include: rest, as required stay well hydrated use over the counter medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, as directed on the packet, for management of fever or pain gargle with a glass of warm water to ease your sore throat; sucking on sugar-free lollies or lozenges may also help.
Give feedback about this page. Sick and tired of being tired and sick: laboratory investigation of glandular fever Glandular fever infectious mononucleosis is a common, potentially debilitating illness that is most frequently seen in adolescents and young adults. In this article The natural history of glandular fever How to recognise glandular fever Testing for glandular fever The treatment of glandular fever Complications associated with glandular fever Follow-up is usually not required References In this article.
The natural history of glandular fever Infectious mononucleosis, commonly referred to as glandular fever, is a clinical syndrome comprising fever, pharyngitis and lymphadenopathy associated with atypical lymphocytosis.
How to recognise glandular fever In many cases, glandular fever can be diagnosed clinically. Recurrence of symptomatic glandular fever is unlikely Recurrent glandular fever is unlikely.
Red flags for hospitalisation Rarely, patients with glandular fever will require referral to hospital. Red flags include: Severe pharyngeal pain Excessive pharyngeal inflammation causing airway obstruction Insufficient fluid intake signs of moderate to severe dehydration Quinsy — inflammation of the tonsils to the extent that swallowing is not possible can be seen on examination or if the patient is dribbling Acute abdominal pain, particularly in the upper left quadrant possible splenic rupture.
Other causes of sore throat should be considered In some cases, glandular fever is clinically indistinguishable from other causes of sore throat. Start with a full blood count and a heterophile antibody test A full blood count, when combined with findings from a clinical examination, can be highly suggestive of glandular fever. Where the diagnosis remains unclear, serology is recommended If an initial FBC and heterophile tests fail to indicate glandular fever, specific EBV serology may be requested.
Testing in older adults, children and people who are immunocompromised or pregnant Specific EBV serology and FBC are recommended as the first-line tests for women who are pregnant, people who are immunocompromised, children and older people. Diagnosis Distinguishing features Cytomegalovirus Pharyngitis, fever, malaise, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. May be asymptomatic. Acute HIV infection Symptoms may be less specific and also include mucocutaneous ulceration, rash, headache or diarrhoea.
If risk factors are present, HIV should be considered and laboratory testing arranged. Viral hepatitis Fever, abdominal pain, jaundice and malaise. Hepatomegaly is common. Pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly are less likely. Toxoplasmosis Fever, lymphadenopathy and rash, but rarely pharyngitis. Transmission is usually via cat faeces or undercooked meat. Human herpes virus-6 More common in young children roseola, sixth disease.
Fever of three to five days, widespread rash of macules and papules. The treatment of glandular fever The management of glandular fever includes supportive treatment, identifying patients at immediate risk of complications, and education on the illness and expected symptom duration.
Amoxicillin may cause significant adverse effects Amoxicillin should not be used in people with glandular fever, even where concurrent bacterial infection is suspected. Complications associated with glandular fever The majority of people with glandular fever will have few, if any, long-term complications other than fatigue.
Glandular fever is associated with a risk of splenic rupture Splenic rupture is an extremely rare, but life-threatening complication of glandular fever.
Follow-up is usually not required Most people with glandular fever make a full recovery. References Luzuriaga K, Sullivan J. Infectious mononucleosis. New Engl J Med. Charles P. Aust Fam Phys. Hess R. Routine Epstein-Barr virus diagnostics from the laboratory perspective: still challenging after 35 years.
J Clin Microbiol. On the dynamics of acute EBV infection and the pathogenesis of infectious mononucleosis. Available from: www. Editor: Kyle C. A handbook for the interpretation of laboratory tests. Diagnostic Medlab; BMJ Best Practice. BMJ; Viral hepatitis-related acture liver failure. Am j Gastroenterol. Bell A, Fortune B. What test is the best for diagnosing infectious mononucleosis? J Fam Pract. Epstein-Barr virus infection during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome.
Abdominal pain in acute infectious mononucleosis. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. NICE, London; Comments There are currently no comments for this article. Make a comment:. Please login to make a comment. This article is 9 years and 1 month old. Social sharing.
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