Epstein-Barr is the virus that causes glandular fever, but the symptoms are not always easy to distinguish from other conditions. This test helps you know for sure.
Overview
What is Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)?
It’s a virus that can cause glandular fever (aka infectious mononucleosis or ‘mono’).
How did I catch it?
Lots of people carry EBV without getting sick. It spreads via saliva so can be transmitted through kissing, sharing cooking utensils or cups; and coughs and sneezes.
What are the symptoms?
EBV infection can be mild and symptoms may not even be distinguishable from a cold in children. In teens and adults, where the EBV develops into glandular fever, symptoms can be more debilitating, including swollen glands, fever, fatigue, sore muscles and weakness.
How do I get tested?
Book a simple blood test now.
Did You Know?
Up to 95% of adults carry the Epstein-Barr virus
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and glandular fever – what’s the difference?
EBV is a virus carried by most people. Usually it causes no symptoms and, where it does cause illness (typically in children) it can be difficult to tell the symptoms apart from a common cold. In teenagers and adults, however, EBV may develop into glandular fever, sometimes called ‘mono’ after its correct title ‘infectious mononucleosis’. The symptoms of glandular fever can be considerably more debilitating than EBV infection, and some symptoms can linger.
Symptoms of glandular fever
Typical symptoms of glandular fever include:
- Sore throat
- Swollen glands
- Fever
- Shivers
- Skin rash
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue and weakness
There is no cure for glandular fever and most of the symptoms will pass in 2-3 weeks, although fatigue may remain for several months.
Can I have glandular fever twice?
EBV remains within your system long after glandular fever and you can still be contagious months or years after illness if the virus becomes active again. Although you can infect others, however, you are unlikely to contract glandular fever more than once, as having the fever drives most people’s bodies to create antibodies that give them immunity to it.
How can I catch EBV infection?
Glandular fever is known as the kissing disease because EBV is transmitted via saliva. Kissing isn’t the only way to contract EBV, however. You can also catch it through coughs and sneezes, and sharing cooking utensils, cups and plates.
How can this test help?
It’s not always easy to spot an EBV infection. Particularly in children, the symptoms are very similar to those of a cold or flu. Not everyone who comes into contact with EBV contracts it and having a healthy immune system may help you avoid it.
So, if you have some of the symptoms of glandular fever, this test can help you understand whether you have been infected by EBV. And if you’ve been in contact with someone who has glandular fever, this test can tell you whether the EBV has been passed on (although bear in mind that anyone could have EBV, and a person doesn’t have to be sick with glandular fever to pass it on).
How do I get tested?
To get tested please contact Better2Know your Body on the number above or click book now.