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Original poster

To be freaking out about glandular fever?

62 replies

erja · 14/02/2019 13:28

I've found out this morning that I 'probably' have glandular fever. When I asked if I needed blood tests to confirm it, he said 'nah'.
There's been all sorts thrown at me, that it could last for months, that I need bloods to check my liver, that my spleen will be swollen so don't take any knocks, that I need to be signed off work etc etc.
I'm freaking out, I'm on my own and I'm really scared! Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
erja · 14/02/2019 13:31

Has anyone had this - do I need to get signed off work?

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Tirednessandmoretiredness · 14/02/2019 13:33

It depends how you feel and what you do. I had glandular at uni. I still went in to lectures etc. I did feel bad for ages tho and the after effects lasted a long time.

Bryjam · 14/02/2019 13:36

I had glandular, by the time the GP did the blood test to confirm I was on the road to recovery anyway.

Work wise no one can say, some people don't suffer much with glandular and other people can be exhausted for months. How do you feel? Because that's what dictates your ability to work, not your diagnosis.

Bryjam · 14/02/2019 13:37

There's been all sorts thrown at me, that it could last for months, that I need bloods to check my liver, that my spleen will be swollen so don't take any knocks, that I need to be signed off work etc etc.

Who has thrown this at you? It all sounds rather dramatic.

Original poster
erja · 14/02/2019 13:37

@Bryjam I don't feel 'exhausted' but I've been up at A&E this morning for severe tonsil pain which is the biggest problem, ongoing for almost 9 days!

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Original poster
erja · 14/02/2019 13:38

@Bryjam the doctor at A&E, the GP, my mums nurse friend, one of my friends who's had it etc.

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Bryjam · 14/02/2019 13:38

So A&E told you all this about your liver and spleen?

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 14/02/2019 13:39

My sister had GF when we were 17- it was dreadful. Took her a few weeks to properly recover and she lost a lot of weight, but she was only off school for two weeks I think.

I remember walking into her bedroom one morning and being hit by this stench of illness. When mum took her to the GP he said he knew what it was straight away as the distinctive smell followed her in to the consulting room.

Bryjam · 14/02/2019 13:40

Cross post sorry.

Our GP doesn't do anything as a matter of course. If the symptoms suggest intervention is necessary then they will take the appropriate action, but the basic advice is rest.

Original poster
erja · 14/02/2019 13:42

@Bryjam well not my GP- DM spoke to the GP she works with and he said that they should've run blood tests as the spleen would be swollen and they need to check my liver!

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Bryjam · 14/02/2019 13:42

It's not standard practice at all.

Original poster
erja · 14/02/2019 13:43

@Bryjam my own GP didn't even pick up on anything. Gave me antibiotics and told me that she wasn't worried. I've been up crying for nights for a week and told her how concerned I was and she just told me it's fine. (No wonder antibiotics weren't helping!)

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justasking111 · 14/02/2019 13:43

DS had this just told no games, no exercise and lots of physical rest. It does hang on for quite a while. If your job is not physical I am not sure why you are so stressed out about it. He did lose weight though.

Bryjam · 14/02/2019 13:44

What did your GP give anti biotics for?

Original poster
erja · 14/02/2019 13:45

@justasking111 I think I've just heard a lot of scary info and now I'm freaking out, my tonsils are in an indescribable pain though.

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Original poster
erja · 14/02/2019 13:46

@Bryjam to try and get my tonsils to stop swelling. She just said 'oh you poor thing, I'll just give you these as they must be sore'. I asked if it was viral and she said 'no, I'm sure it's bacterial'.

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DickVanTyke · 14/02/2019 13:46

I had it as a teen. You should have a blood test to confirm though. I went back to the doctors because my Mum was convinced I had appendicitis, but apparently it was my spleen. The doctor seemed surprised that the doc who diagnosed me didn't tell me I'd have an enlarged spleen and this is why I wasn't allowed to do sport.
It's one of those things that can affect people to different degrees. I had about 2 weeks off school, then half days for a bit. I was exhausted for about 6 months every time I overdid it though (which, tbf, is a lot when you're a teenager!)

Onlyjoinedforthisthread · 14/02/2019 13:47

I had glandular fever I could hardly get out of bed for the first week, was signed off work for 4 weeks and went back part time and took months to fully recover.
My sister had it and didn't really havr any effect her it was only a blood test that highlighted it .

So no one can tell you how it will affect you

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 14/02/2019 13:49

I was ill for 3 weeks with it when I was 23.It totally floored me.

Floralnomad · 14/02/2019 13:51

I’ve had glandular fever and I only needed about a week off work . Without the blood test confirming it I wouldn’t assume that’s what it is . My ds had a bacterial throat infection that presented in a similar way ( they tested for Gf and it was negative) and he had several weeks off school in that instance . When he had actual glandular fever ( a few years later) he didn’t feel anywhere near as ill .

Original poster
erja · 14/02/2019 13:51

@DickVanTyke @Onlyjoinedforthisthread @SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc thanks everyone for the replies. I'm still a bit worried, especially with how long it lasts. I've really struggled for the past week with it just getting worse.

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SallyWD · 14/02/2019 13:52

I had it. When I got my diagnosis I freaked out simply because people told be it was awful, would last for months etc. To be honest it wasn't that bad and I got better quickly.

InionEile · 14/02/2019 13:53

It totally depends. I had it and was very ill for 3 weeks with fatigue lasting for 2-3 months afterward (timed perfectly for my university finals!). Another friend just had a sore throat and fever for a couple of weeks but no lingering effects. I did hear the rumours at the time of people getting chronic fatigue and swollen spleen and all the stuff you are hearing but it didn’t happen to anyone I knew.

Bryjam · 14/02/2019 13:53

Oh. So the GP thought bacterial tonsillitis possibly?

What did A&E say? If your only symptom is your tonsils it seems odd they would give you a 'probable' diagnosis based on that and then not do anything to confirm.

I would probably call your surgery and ask for the doc to phone you, you need to know if you actually have GF before you go off worrying this much. Even if you have it, it might not be severe, but the what ifs are not worth it when you haven't even been seen properly.

PurpleDinosaurous · 14/02/2019 13:55

I had glandular fever in my early teens, it effects everyone differently. I had it for at least 2 months and was off school the entire time, I remember being able to eat nothing but sloppy mashed potato mixed with gravy when I could actually eat! I had tests and did have reduced liver function, I can't remember how long it took to recover but I was left with long lasting chronic fatigue

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