Infectious Mononucleosis :: Recurring Glandular Fever
Living with Recurring Glandular Fever
Many people who catch glandular fever (Epstein-Barr virus) recover completely, but for a significant minority, like me, the virus hides from the immune system. I believe that this ability was discovered in the late 1960s. I heard of it in a BBC science programme in the early 70s, and immediately recognised my situation.
I caught glandular fever (without complications) in spring 1967 when I was a youth. Those who are affected by recurring symptoms, will recognise my case, where the symptoms receded imperceptibly slowly. It took about 9 months from being infected before I felt more or less normal again - for a while.
I pass on my experience of coping with this condition. There is bad news and good news.
The bad news is that the symptoms recur throughout life - that is for those who have difficulty clearing the original infection. A cure might emerge, but I am assuming that this will not happen. The good news is that, in time, the symptoms become gradually less of a problem.
The bad news is that one needs to adapt one's lifestyle in order to deal with this. The good news is that one can live a normal life. There are many with other lifelong conditions, who are far worse off.
Any virus illness (cold, 'flu) will trigger the symptoms. Something as common as catching a cold runs as follows. One feels unwell (exhausted), with no symptoms. About 2 days later, the cold symptoms start, accompanied with swelling of the glands in the throat and/or cheeks. The swelling is not very noticeable to others. One has a slightly raised temperature, and feels quite ill. After 4 to 10 days, the cold symptoms and swelling subside, but the feeling of exhaustion remains. This can last 4 to 6 weeks, or 6 months after a bout of 'flu.
How can you cope? There are a number of measures.
1) Smoking exacerbates the symptoms. If you are a smoker, you will be one of those who find stopping smoking relatively easy. You will soon learn to avoid smoke-filled places.
2) Should the symptoms start, treat as for a cold, or 'flu. You will feel exhausted, and a good thing to do is to get a lot of sleep.
3) It is worth getting a 'flu vaccination, if you can.
4) Exercise - you won't feel like exercise, and it is wise to rest while the cold symptoms are there. Once they are gone, and the feeling of exhaustion remains, that is the time to resume vigorous exercise. I think it might be the raised body temperature which helps to fight off the symptoms. In the case where you go to the gym, you will have to force yourself against the feeling of exhaustion for the first time, and even the second time, but by the third time, you realise that you are much fitter. The exhaustion will go. Regular exercise helps ward off the problems, and the fitter you are, the better you will manage.
5) Avoid catching colds. You will find that you have become especially susceptible to colds. There are many things involved here, from a good, varied diet, a daily multivitamin/mineral tablet (don't overdose), cough sweets in the bus/train etc.
The best advice, and perhaps the most difficult and lifestyle threatening, is to follow what (great) grandmother told you, "Wrap up warm!" Think how she would say, "Put on your sweater/scarf/hat/woolly socks before you go out!" You think. "It is not cold outside". You know it isn't "Cool", and you don't want your friends to laugh at you.
If the summer weather is really hot, you can get away with fashionable wear. Otherwise, the bad news is that keeping warm maybe "uncool" but if you ignore this, you will suffer. Ideally, you should keep on the verge of perspiring, and if the surrounding air is fresh and cool, that is the ideal. Avoid stuffy environments. Avoid becoming too hot, sweaty and wet, and then getting chilled. However, if you can arrange to change into dry clothes and not become chilled (as when you go to the gym), all well and good!
I found these lifestyle adaptations very unwelcome. You will have to find your own way to cope. Thinking of these matters will help, and you can lead a normal life, with bouts of extreme exhaustion from time to time. Take comfort in that these will become less severe, and maybe less frequent as the years pass. Otherwise, you are quite normal. You can achieve what you are capable of intellectually, and physically. Face up to the occasional difficulties, and be determined to succeed with your life. Epstein-Barr will not prevent you.
Sore Throat Ever Since Glandular Fever (3 Years Back)
Back in January 2012 I contracted Glandular Fever and was sick for a couple of weeks. Ever since then I have had a sore throat on and off and nothing it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I get frequent mouth ulcers, the back off my throat is almost always red and patchy with ulcers and sometimes I even get the on my uvula.
I have seen my GP about this a year or so ago and was referred to a throat specialist who pretty much told me to wait it out, but it is very frustrating considering it's been over three years. I have also noticed that alcohol seems to make the problem worse, but being at uni I didn't have much chance to avoid it. My general health is relatively good, if I pick up an infection intend to fight it off quickly and don't get that sick. It's just this which is more frustrating than anything. The only other thing I would say is that I do have mild hay fever and always seem to wake up with phlegm in my throat so I'm not sure if this attributes to it.
Allergies :: Swollen Glands In Neck, Swollen Larynx
I've had swollen glands in my neck, a swollen larynx, and hoarseness for the past few days. The outside of my throat is also sore to touch and gets red. The inside of my throat is fine and it doesn't hurt to swallow. No fever, nothing else. When it rains it gets worse. It sometimes goes away after the rain. In the past I had it and it stayed for over two years straight! The ENT could find no reason for it. Is this allergy-related? Has anyone else had this? If so is there anything that can be done? Nothing I do seems to help. I take 20mg reactine that is supposed to last 24 hours, avamys a corticosteroid nasal spray for allergies. I also take symbicort, ventolin, and singulair for asthma.
View 4 RepliesLymphadenopathy :: Swollen Glands
So I've been feeling really lightheaded and dazed for the last 5 months! I'm constantly tired and just feeling really weak mentally, emotionally and physically! I went to the doctors on Feb and they said my glands were swollen in the neck, when in returned a few months later they had gone down but my symptoms persisted! I again went to the doctors in April and my glands have been up ever since and I've now been referred to see an ent? I have had all blood tests which have come back clear!
Does anyone know what this could be?
What will the ent do?
I am so scared it is something bad and so frustrated of feeling so rubbish!
HIV :: Harmless Swollen Glands?
I am an 18 year old heterosexual female. 8 months ago I engaged in unprotected oral sex, with no ejaculation, both giving and receiving. I know this male has had previous partners, but claims he has no STDs or anything. I had no symptoms of anything after. Since then I had kissed people and still no symptoms. I recently got involved in a relationship with a boy my age and I am his first. We have engaged in unprotected oral sex (with ejaculation) and protected sex. We have been together 5 months. I was tested negative for STDs. I did have a yeast infection but was caused by using a certain cream on the area that moisturized. Recently in the past 3-4 weeks my lymph nodes in my neck have swollen. They are about 1-1.5cm and I feel tired and no appetite. I recently got a blood test done for mono, and deficiencies, etc, but not HIV and I also fainted. The blood test came back with the result of a slightly high WBC count. My doctor said I shouldn't be worried and do not need a test. My boyfriend had cut me while fingering me and then ate me out, but neither of us had noticed. I have no fever, no headaches, no cough, chills, or anything... Just fatigue and swollen glands. Should I be worried about HIV? Is this a cause for concern? Do I need a test?
View 4 RepliesHIV :: Swollen Lymph Glands Under Armpit
So I recently had this fling with a guy from my uni, we slept together but did not have anal sex. We just performed mutual masturbation, and he ejaculated on me (gross I know). Anyways, he is joining the army in a couple of months and obviously they make sure you need to be clean so I am not too worried.
Anyways, for the past week and a half I have had a swollen red bump under my armpit, I am pretty sure it's a swollen lymph thingo - I had one under my right armpit, now I have one on my left.
Tis very small and I have 0 other symptoms, but I am scared to death of the doctors for some weird reason and always get anxiety when I go. So I try to go as little as possible.
While I have no other symptoms, is there a chance it could be HIV? This was about 2-4 weeks ago.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica And Swollen Glands
I think I have a super bad case of swollen glands. I am currently in Florida visiting my parents and have no insurance coverage down here. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on maybe what I could take for the pain? I am on 15mg pred..90 mg of Celexa...500mg Vit C supplements and 100mg. of Trazodone. I called my Rheumy today and of course no return phone call..I'm just nervous about taking anything with the Pred.
View 1 RepliesHyperthyroidism :: Glands Feel Swollen
I was boarderliner with overactive thyroid, so doctor wants to do another blood test at the end of this month!
However woke this morning and my glands feel swollen! Is this normal?
Lymphadenopathy :: Swollen Glands All Over My Neck
I have been having swollen glands all over my neck for the past 3 years now. They are often quite pailful and I keep on getting colds and sore throats all the time, even in the summer.
I have seen various doctors but so far none of them has managed to figure out what I may have.
I've had different check ups too (chest x-rays, neck scan and antibiotics). The scanning shows there are swollen glands but no-one can figure out what could cause them. I have also had loads of blood tests, including leukemia and Hodgkin's' lymphoma.
In the meantime these swollen glands are making my life a misery and I am only 26 years old
Lymphadenopathy :: Swollen Glands And Tonsils
15 months ago I was on holiday in India and got a nasty chest infection that I was very ill with. I took antibiotics which helped, but didn't clear it. When I returned home my GP gave me a second course which helped some more. I ended up with oral thrush as a result, which was treated with Nystatin mouthwash.
Since then I have had bouts of soreness in my mouth, feeling like it has been scalded with hot food, though there is nothing to see. I presumed it was thrush and I know that I am resistant to many thrush treatments, so started to treat it myself with Gentian Violet that I bought off the internet (now not used in this country). It worked when I used it, but the symptoms returned every couple of months.
About 3 months ago I had a cough/cold. It cleared up within the standard time, but left me with an irritation in my throat, causing a nuisance dry cough, even though I was fully well by now. For a few weeks it felt like I had a furry carpet in my throat, just past my glands, but not in my chest. That has cleared up, but the recurrent 'burnt mouth' feeling comes and goes every few days. I have stopped treating it because I didn't know if the Gentian Violet might be making matters worse. My left tonsil is permanently swollen, though my GP says he can see no infection on it. Both glands swell and subside every couple of days and it hurts to swallow when they are up. I often get a chemical taste in my mouth. I can see some clear, blister type lumps right at the back of my tongue, at the left side, where it joins my throat. I can't see them unless I stick my tongue out and shine a light in. My GP couldn't see them, but he could see a similar lump above my left tonsil, which he thought might be a cyst.
On top of all this I have had persistent sinus trouble, ie green phlegm each morning and irritation frequently which antibiotics help with temporarily, but it always comes back. This has been an ongoing problem for about 7 years.
My GP has referred me urgently to ENT, but even so there is a 6 week wait. I have a couple of theories myself which are hopefully simple to treat - one being that the sinus infection is causing the throat swelling, another being that painkillers that I take long term for a neck problem and which dry everything out have caused blocked salivary glands.
However, I cannot help thinking that there is something much more serious going on and I'm fed up of having a sore throat/mouth all the time too. I am 51, so I don't think glandular fever would be the problem.
Chickenpox? Mouth Blisters And Swollen Glands
I managed to avoid chicken pox for 48 years ( all my siblings and children had it ). I have developed a rash and it's starting to blister, with blisters in my mouth, extremely hoarse, swollen glands and severe headache. I developed a chesty cough yesterday which has got gradually worse today..are these normal symptoms or do I need medical attention?
View 3 RepliesPenis :: Swollen Shaft And Glands (multiple Sex Partners)
Ok to start from the beginning I do suffer from cysts. And do have sex frequently with multiple partners . About two years ago me n my ex got a uti from a third partner went doctors got cleared about year later had same symptoms .. went away after about two weeks .. within the last six months I've had more issues pain swelling also note small white bump on testical (no pain or swelling of testicles ), pain in tip of penis ..again having multiple partners (female) I get tested regularly and have always been negative ..classified as general infection.. anyways I've been seeing a girl n just her and we had unprotected sex n I could feel with tip of my penis if felt rough bumpy .. anyways I had a small pimple like bump on my shaft I was able pop it but now all my glands are swollen around pelvic area n where the bump was is swollen affecting girth .. I have insurance but its just been to doctor so many times for this area its really embarrassing
View 1 RepliesGlands :: Possible Swollen Lymph Node In Pubic Area?
I am a 30 year old female with a healthy lifestyle. For about 6 months I have had a lymph node (I think) in the top left side corner of my pubic area that is swollen for most of the day. It goes down at night and after being awake for a couple hours, it swells up again. Sometimes its more swollen than others and becomes painful to touch. It only happens on the left side.
I recently went to my primary doctor (general internist) for her to check it out but it wasn't swollen at the time (early AM) so she couldn't feel it. She ran a blood test and everything came back normal. She said that they are usually nothing to worry about if I don't have any other unusual symptoms.
I advised her of a condition in my left leg called Fibrous Dysplasia, in which I was born with and have had 4 surgeries for (last one was 5 years ago). She told me that since I don't have regular cuts on my legs, or anywhere else, and that I have no other odd symptoms that it could be caused by the associated inflammation of the problem in my leg.
I dont seem to think that its being caused by the inflammation in my leg because I was born with this condition and have had many many flare ups of inflammation and the swollen node started only 6 months ago.
I do have fairly bad environmental allergies so I am contributing it to that, but again, I've had allergies all my life too.
Also, I developed a problem about 4 years ago with a rash. It only appears on my legs (both) most of the time (about 90%) and sometimes on my arms. The rash shows up as small and large (largest size of a silver dollar) hard, red, and painful lumps. I've gotten a biopsy to confirm that it is a rash from my dermatologist. I also did an elimination diet on my own to try and figure out if they were occurring due to a food intolerance but didn't have any successful results.
With all of this information, would anyone be able to provide me with advice or a next step? Is there some other test that should be run? Could this be something other than a lymph node?
Lymph Nodes :: Swollen, Painful Occipital Glands
I have a few bumps on the base of my skull / top of my neck. One of them is large and the others are small. They are quite painful and swollen and have been there for a week or so. What could this be? Should I see a doctor about it?
View 1 RepliesGenital Herpes Simplex :: Sore Throat And Swollen Glands
I was diagnosed with genital HSV 1 in November. I've come to terms with it l, but I'm still learning amount it.
A few days ago, I had a sore throat and 1 swollen gland. The next day, I noticed a couple of white spots on the back of my throat. There has been no fever. I have not had any type of sex since early January.
Called my pcp and he called in regular antibiotic until I can get in to see him next week.
Could this be related to my HSV 1 condition or strep throat.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome :: Groin Swollen Glands - Tender And Warm
swollen neck glands are pretty common I know, but do many of you also get swelling in the groin area as well? This is new to me. I have not had a good week and earlier in the week I had swollen neck glands which I am familiar with, sore throat, aching muscles etc but today found a swelling in my groin which is tender and warm. Should I be worried?
View 4 RepliesSwollen Hands And Feet, Sore Throat - Lymph Nodes/glands
My friend is staying with me and is feeling really ill and dizzy, his hands and feet are swollen, his neck is swollen and so is his face. His glands and lymph nodes are really swollen. He is really fatigued and has a sore throat. mostly it sounds like Flu symptoms apart from the swelling so can anyone help with an accurate diagnosis, he had his tonsils removed so it isn't tonsillitis.
I gave him co-codamol 30mg/500mg and ibuprofen 600mg tabs, he feels a little better but the swelling hasn't gone down much at all.
Hip Replacement :: 5 Months And Back To Normal - What About You?
It is now just five months since my RTHR and I think I'm back to normal. So hands up all you hippies who think, as I do, that, as a reward for my extraordinary courage and being a model patient, my wife should now allow me to purchase that lovely little classic sports coupé that I've seen for sale (quite cheaply) on the Internet.
View 52 RepliesMenstruation :: No Swollen Breasts Or Bloating - No PMS Normal?
I had sex (for the first time) on 19 April, 2016. After one hour I took one morning-after pill(emergency pill). We used condom, and we did everything safely, ejaculated outside of me. Still for extra safety I took Pill. Then I got my period on 9May(19days later after taking pill). My period is still going on today (June 12), marking 34 days' bleeding. In the middle, for 2 days the flow discontinued for 26-27 May, then continued again.
Condition: No cramp, no pain, no other symptoms. just having light to heavy blood with Blood clot like dark things. The clots are now less. Why my period is long, is it side effect of pill?How to bring it to normal by any medication? I had irregular periods before (periods which occurred after 35-45days each month, especially during stressed times, but periods continue for 5-7days always, no other problems).
Would be glad to have advice on this issue. Thanks in advance