GLANDULAR FEVER – INTRODUCTION
Tonsillitis is a common infection of childhood but is seen less often in adults.
During the teens, a sore throat may be due to tonsillitis or it may be due to glandular fever or infectious mononucleosis.
In the early stages, it may be difficult to tell the difference between them but later the typical greyish-white membrane over the tonsils in glandular fever plus the enlargement of the lymph glands and spleen point to the diagnosis.
This can usually be confirmed by a blood test although this test may be negative in the first few days.
It does occur in the 20s, is uncommon in the 30s and rarely seen after 40.
It is usually spread by breathing over people, and particularly by kissing.
Some recent research has shown that it may also be spread sexually.
It normally presents itself with a sore throat, fever and general malaise.
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