Glandular Fever
Glandular fever, also called infectious mononucleosis, it is due to infection by the Epstein-Barr virus, one of the members of the herpes family. It's transmitted by droplet inhalation (which means it's carried in droplets of infected saliva produced by a cough or sneeze - or shared during kissing, which is why this is known as the kissing disease). It causes fever, the swelling of glands, tonsillitis which may be severe, a rash, occasionally respiratory problems, the swelling of the spleen and disordered liver function. It produces an increase in the level of one of the white blood cells, called monocytes, which is why it's also called infectious mononucleosis (or 'mono' by American adolescents). There is a test - called the monospot test - which can detect specific antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus. There may be persistent malaise, particularly in adolescents, which can last for months. This can be a devastating disease for a child who develops it during important examinations, when a course of steroids might help. There is no specific treatment. Infection with the Epstein Barr virus is implicated in the development of a lymphoma - a Cancer of lymphoid tissue - called Burkitt's lymphoma, in the developing world.
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