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AIBU?

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Original poster

Scared of getting glandular fever

13 replies

almondswirl19 · 11/09/2021 18:45

I'm in early 20's for some reason every so often I get a bit anxious about getting glandular fever as I've heard it sounds absolutely dreadful. I watched this video where a woman was saying that after having glandular fever she has suffered from chronic fatigue ever since for years. This year I'm doing a PGCE and I've got it in to my head that if I get glandular fever then I'll end up failing the course as I will be off sick for too long. Please can I get some reassurance that it's likely I will not end up catching it.

OP posts:
Zealois · 11/09/2021 18:49

Well of course nobody can reassure you that you won't get it but seems a bit pointless to waste energy worrying about this very specific thing. I got it when I was 21, was in hospital, missed 5 weeks of uni and had chronic fatigue syndrome for two years after.

Maybe avoid kissing random people? That's how I got it haha

WaterAndRichTea · 11/09/2021 18:52

I had it twice

Once when i was 15,
Was ill for 3 months , was over the summer so had nearly two months off school

Then had it again 2 years ago and was in hospital for 2 weeks it played havoc with my liver

I wouldnt be concerned about catching it though
Sounds as though you may need to see a specialist about your health anxiety

Original poster
almondswirl19 · 11/09/2021 18:52

I definitely do not kiss random people I can assure you

OP posts:
Badgerbonce · 11/09/2021 18:56

It is quite common in young people. Dd had it and it took months to recover. She was in a long term relationship.. not to do with kissing others.
She found it scary but over giving in when tired but it helped long term. If you did happen to get ill your uni would allow study break so dont worry re that aspect.

toomuchlaundry · 11/09/2021 18:59

I had it when at Secondary School and missed a term of school. No long term effects though. Not sure who I caught it from, no random kissing! Didn’t know anyone else who had it at the same time and don’t think I know anyone else who has had it

idontlikealdi · 11/09/2021 19:00

We'll it makes a change from someone being worried about covid. I had it, three weeks off school, but was fine.

Hollyhead · 11/09/2021 19:00

Rightly so - leaves many disabled with 'long glandular fever' for years afterwards. Sadly though, unlike long covid suffers who are believed and have resources thrown at them, people with long glandular fever just get the shitty CFS label and thrown to the wolves.

AgentJohnson · 11/09/2021 19:01

Are you normally this anxious? Glandular Fever seems pretty specific thing to be fearful of, especially when COVID 19 is still very much a thing.

suredsun · 11/09/2021 19:06

@Zealois

Well of course nobody can reassure you that you won't get it but seems a bit pointless to waste energy worrying about this very specific thing. I got it when I was 21, was in hospital, missed 5 weeks of uni and had chronic fatigue syndrome for two years after.

Maybe avoid kissing random people? That's how I got it haha

As a quick estimate I kissed perhaps 100 random people in my teens and early 20s. I never got it.
Aisforharlot · 11/09/2021 19:09

I got it and it was easily the worst I've felt. And I didn't kiss anyone!
To take a lesson from my psychologist OP, worry about it if and when it happens.
All you can do in the meantime is try your best to stay reasonably healthy.

Aurorie11 · 11/09/2021 19:15

I had glandular fever at 30, I had 3 days off and went back to work, had felt so off in those days went to Doc and had a blood test. Got the result when I'd gone back to work and thought as I'd gone back no point going sick but could have got signed off.
For several months I did nothing other than go to work and rest. I was well enough within 6 months to successfully to get on a management programme through lots of tests at a residential training centre. Then over the next 5 years had lots of pressured jobs with loads of travel

minipie · 11/09/2021 19:18

I got it in my first year at uni
Felt fairly ill (cold/flu type symptoms) for several weeks
Then was very tired for maybe another term (but it didn’t stop me socialising… I just fell asleep in the library a lot!)
Then was fine, as far as I can tell

billy1966 · 11/09/2021 19:51

@Hollyhead

Rightly so - leaves many disabled with 'long glandular fever' for years afterwards. Sadly though, unlike long covid suffers who are believed and have resources thrown at them, people with long glandular fever just get the shitty CFS label and thrown to the wolves.
Unfortunately I know of a couple of cases like this and several not so serious, but have to be careful not to get run down and overdo it (like going on the piss too much and up all night partying).

It can be an awful dose.

The cases I know of occurred pre A levels, rather than at university, aged 17.

OP, just mind yourself, as in simply keep good hand hygiene, don't share drinks and take a good quality multi vitamin to support your immune system.
Eat as well as you can.

It is a lottery, but unlikely to happen.

No harm in minding yourself though.Flowers

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