Glandular fever, or infectious mononucleosis, is common among teenagers, young adults, and college students. Some symptoms include a fever, a sore throat, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

Glandular fever usually stems from an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a highly contagious herpes virus.

Experts believe that more than 90% of people worldwide have EBV infections. However, it does not always cause symptoms or lead to glandular fever. Cytomegalovirus infection and rubella, known as German measles, can also cause glandular fever, while toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection, can cause similar symptoms.

There is no cure for glandular fever, which usually passes without treatment. However, the fatigue can be long lasting.

In this article, we cover the symptoms, recovery times, and spreading risks of glandular fever.

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When a person develops glandular fever, the symptoms usually appear 4–6 weeks after the initial infection.

A person may experience:

The throat

The soreness can be mild, but it is often severe and occurs with redness and swelling, similar to tonsilitis. Swallowing is often painful.

If what seems like severe tonsillitis lasts longer than usual, the person may have glandular fever.

The lymph nodes and spleen

As the immune system fights the virus, the lymph nodes swell. The swelling can occur in any lymph node, but those in the neck and armpits are usually the most prominent. They may be tender.

The spleen is part of the immune system and sits under the ribs on the left side of the abdomen.

The spleen may also swell as the body combats the virus, and the person may be able to feel it beneath their ribs. The swelling may cause mild pain in the upper left part of the abdomen.

The liver

In rare cases, EBV can cause mild inflammation of the liver, known as hepatitis. In rare cases, it can also cause acute liver failure. This is more common in people over 40.

Symptoms of hepatitis include:

  • jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • intolerance to alcohol
  • a loss of appetite
  • nausea

Jaundice and hepatitis should disappear as the person recovers from glandular fever.

The symptoms tend to resolve within 2–4 weeks, though the fatigue may last longer. Some people experience symptoms for 6 months or more.

Due to the physical impact of glandular fever, it is best for people to slowly build up their activity levels after infection. Due to the damage it can cause to the spleen, people should limit strenuous activity or physical sports for at least the first month after initial recovery.

Some people have EBV infections but no symptoms. This is more common in younger children.

There is no cure for glandular fever; some people experience symptoms for 6 months or longer.

However, even without treatment, most people find that their symptoms go away within 2–4 weeks, though fatigue can last longer.

A person can take the following steps to help the body heal:

Rest

A person with glandular fever often feels too tired and unwell to continue with their typical routine, but complete rest is key, especially in the first month after symptoms have appeared.

As the person recovers, light exercise may help them regain muscle strength.

Drink plenty of fluids

This will help prevent dehydration, especially if there is a fever.

A sore throat can make it hard to swallow, but it is important to consume enough fluids.

Pain relief medication

Pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol), are available over-the-counter and online. They may help reduce fever symptoms.

Gargling

Gargling with salt water or a solution from a pharmacy may help relieve a sore throat.

Steroids

If the infection causes inflammation of the tonsils, a doctor may prescribe a short course of corticosteroids.

Most EBV infections occur during early childhood. When it happens, the immune system produces antibodies to fight the virus.

The virus remains in the body for life, lying dormant in the throat and blood cells. The antibodies provide lifelong immunity, and glandular fever rarely comes back a second time.

Sometimes, however, the virus becomes active again. This can occasionally cause symptoms, especially in a person with a weakened immune system. However, an EBV infection does not always lead to glandular fever or symptoms.

A person who contracts the infection as a teenager or young adult is more likely to develop glandular fever. It mainly appears in those ages 15–24 years.

At least 1 in 4 young adults with EBV infections develop glandular fever. Less commonly, the illness affects people in other age groups.

Other causes of glandular fever

Beyond the EBV, cytomegalovirus and rubella, sometimes called German measles, can also cause glandular fever.

Also, people may develop similar symptoms if they have toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection.

Cytomegalovirus, rubella, and toxoplasmosis can affect a fetus. If a pregnant person develops any of these infections, treatment with antibiotics and antibodies may be necessary.

A person who has an EBV infection can pass it on through bodily fluids, such as saliva. It is possible to spread the infection through coughing, sneezing, or sharing items such as utensils and cups, for example.

It is also possible to pass on glandular fever, or infectious mononucleosis, through kissing. It is sometimes called the “kissing disease.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that the virus can also spread through contact with semen or blood and through an organ transplant.

However, stringent testing of transfused blood and transplanted organs means that the risk of developing glandular fever through these ways is very low.

When the EBV enters the body, it first infects the lining of the throat. Then, white blood cells called B lymphocytes can spread the infection to other body parts, including the liver and spleen.

The virus remains in the body even after symptoms have gone, and it can reactivate at a later date.

How to stop glandular fever from spreading

Glandular fever spreads through bodily fluids. To stop EBV from spreading, a person should:

  • wash hands regularly and thoroughly
  • wash any clothes or surfaces they have been in contact with
  • refrain from kissing others
  • refrain from sharing cutlery and drinkware

The doctor will perform a physical examination to detect swollen lymph nodes and assess the tonsils, liver, and spleen.

If they suspect glandular fever, they also may order some tests. An antibody test can detect antibodies developed specifically to combat EBV.

During pregnancy, tests can show whether rubella or toxoplasmosis are present. The EBV does not harm a fetus or an embryo.

Complications of glandular fever are rare, but they can be serious.

They include:

  • damage to the spleen
  • a secondary infection, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or one that causes heart inflammation
  • anemia
  • a neurological condition, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome or Bell’s palsy
  • upper airway obstruction

Secondary infections are rare, but there is a risk for patients with weakened immune systems.

Glandular fever is a viral infection that is common in young adults. The most common cause of glandular fever is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

The medical term for glandular fever is infectious mononucleosis.

The condition can cause extreme tiredness, fever, and swelling of the lymph nodes. Glandular fever typically self-remedies within 2-4 weeks, but people may feel fatigued for up to 6 months after infection.

The EBV spreads through bodily fluids, commonly saliva. People can reduce the risk of spreading the virus by avoiding kissing others and regularly disinfecting their hands and surfaces they come into contact with.