What is it?

Glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The most common age to catch it is in your teens and twenties. It's passed on in saliva, and from coughs and sneezes. That's why some people call it the kissing disease.

Signs and symptoms

• Flu-like symptoms with fever, headache and sweating.
• Sore throat and swollen tonsils.
• Severe fatigue and muscle pains.
• Swollen glands in throat, armpits and groin.
• Weight loss.
• Stomach pains - this is often due to swollen glands in your stomach.

Diagnosis and treatment

• Go to the doctor for a checkup, blood test, and throat swab.
• There is no treatment for the disease, just ways to help with the symptoms, such as pain killers. If you take antibiotics and you don't realise you have glandular fever, you may find you get an itchy red rash. This is because antibiotics can't be used to treat viruses.
• The best thing to do is rest and get better, and drink plenty of fluids.
• Wait for four weeks after recovery before doing any heavy exercise.
• Try and avoid drinking any alcohol.
• Complications are rare, but if you get any new symptoms, tell your doctor.
• Once you've had glandular fever, it's very rare to get it again as your body should build up an immunity to it.

Most people start feeling better after a few weeks, but many find it can take up to a year to recover fully. This often depends on how strong your immune system is and how well you rest once you are diagnosed. If you carry on trying to work and you are feeling poorly, then it can end up setting you back days, or even weeks.

Updated: 14/10/2008