What is Glandular fever?
'''Glandular fever''' is a [[Virus|viral]] [[infection]] caused by the [[Epstein{{ndash}}Barr virus]]. Glandular fever is often spread via [[oral]] [[Action|acts]] such as [[kissing]], contributing its [[nickname]] ''the kissing disease''. However, glandular fever can also be spread by airborne [[saliva]] [[Droplet|droplets]]. ==Symptoms== [[Symptom|Symptoms]] of glandular fever include: * [[Fever]] * [[Fatigue]] * [[Headache]] * [[Sore throat]] * Muscle pain * Sores in the [[mouth]] ==Treatment== There is no specific [[treatment]] for the [[Epstein–Barr virus]]. [[Paracetamol]] and [[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs|NSAIDs]] can be used to ease the flu-like symptoms. Other than that, very little can be done to treat glandular fever. The symptoms usually pass over the space of about two to four [[Week|weeks]] without any [[Complication|complications]]. ==Diagnosis== In diagnosing glandular fever, your GP will ask you about your symptoms before carrying out a physical examination. They will look for the characteristic signs of glandular fever, such as swollen [[Lymphatic system|lymph nodes]], [[Tonsil|tonsils]], [[liver]] and [[spleen]]. Occasionally, if the physical examination does not clearly show [[evidence]] of glandular fever, [[Blood test|blood tests]] can sometimes be done in order to get a diagnosis. Two types of blood tests can usually help to diagnose glandular fever. These are: # an [[antibody]] test – the Epstein-Barr virus causes your [[immune system]] to release certain antibodies that can be detected by testing # [[white blood cell]] test – a high number of white blood cells] usually indicate the presence of an [[infection]] [[Category:Diseases caused by viruses]]