EBV is most common in young adults and teenagers, and is also known as “mono” (infectious mononucleosis). The most marked symptom of glandular fever is severe fatigue, but it also presents with fever, very sore throat, and swollen glands in the neck.
Most of the symptoms pass within the first month, but the tiredness can last for months. There are some potential complications of the infection, which is why you should ensure you have a proper diagnosis from a doctor who can monitor your condition.
Causes
Glandular fever is a viral infection, caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). EBV is contagious. You can get EBV by sharing unwashed cutlery or glasses, or through exposure to coughs or sneezes, because it lives in the saliva of infected people.
Glandular fever is also sometimes referred to as “the kissing disease”, as it can be spread through kissing.
What to do next
If you would like to test for EBV or are experiencing symptoms and would like to speak to a doctor, give us a call to make your appointment, or use our online booking system.
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02073231023Harley St Area
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02071010355City of London
Procedure
Please arrive for this test well-hydrated, to make the procedure easier.
During the testThis test is a fast and simple blood test. A needle is inserted into a vein, usually on the inner arm near the elbow, and a small amount of blood is drawn. You may feel a small prick from the needle, or a scratching sensation.
Blood
Results
Our doctor will call you to explain your results if you had your test alongside a GP consultation. If you came for the blood test only, we will email you the results and you can take them to your own doctor for interpretation, or book a consultation to come back and see one of our GPs.
FAQ
This test will be ordered when you have symptoms that are characteristic of glandular fever, such as fever, headache, sore throat, swollen glands, and extreme fatigue, which cannot be explained any other way. This infection is more prevalent in teenagers and young adults. The doctor may also recommend this test if you have an existing autoimmune disease.
EBV, or the Epstein-Barr Virus, is the virus that causes glandular fever. The virus is present in the saliva of someone who has the infection. You can carry the virus for years without showing symptoms. Someone who has had an EBV infection as a child is more likely to develop glandular fever later in life.
Yes. Research has shown a strong correlation between being infected with EBV and developing certain autoimmune diseases, lupus and multiple sclerosis (MS) in particular, and possibly some cancers. The links however are not exactly clear.
