glandular fever - has anyone's teen had it?

[robin64]

DD been poorly and having test for glandular fever so I just wondered if anyone else's teen has had this and what was your experience. Any advice to help would be welcome - obviously rest and drinks are ongoing atm.

I had it as a teenager and was hospitalised, it was pretty grim! I was just so tired all the time, that's what I remember the most.

I had it - but mildly. I was only very tired for about 7 weeks and thankfully it was over the holidays in the summer. I went to bed almost every night at 6 or 7pm but otherwise not horrendous side effects.

Hope your DD gets better soon.

What makes you think it's GF? Are her glands swollen? My ds has been so porely couldn't even sit up. Some very nasty viruses doing the rounds.

Oh God yes. It is really important to have the test and get it diagnosed properly because it is about 100 times worse than the worst virus you have ever experienced and lasts much longer.

Rest is very important. Ds had it just after his GCSEs and we didn't realise what it was for a couple of weeks, so he was dragging himself to school and feeling dreadful. He ended up with post viral fatigue and I would say that it took him a couple of years or more to get better.

I feel so guilty because I should have realised earlier what it was.

I've never had it but do remember when I was at school (2002) a friend had it and was off school for 6 weeks.

My DD had it around Christmas of her GCSE year. I was my usual 'don't be lazy, get up and go to school!' self but it didn't go away. Another one who felt guilty

The doctor did several sets of blood tests before identifying the Esptein-Barr virus. She was pretty rough, beyond exhausted and quite low/depressed for several weeks. Didn't manage a complete week in school until Easter and regularly fell asleep in class on the days she did manage to go in. I gave her an explanatory note to carry round after a teacher yelled at her for dossing in his lesson.

Best advice is rest, rest and more rest. It passes, eventually.

I had it at 17 and was hospitalised too for a week or something. I had probably had it for a while and got really ill at a Christmas party with school whilst drinking - in the next few days I developed a very high temperature and very swollen glands in my throat (streptococcal infection). My mum who would normally not fuss about things much, got a telling off from the visiting doctor on New Years Day, who ordered me to be sent straight to hospital in an ambulance. My throat was so swollen he said had it got any worse I would have been unable to breathe. To be honest I can't remember feeling that bad, probably because I was in a fever daze.

I would let her rest as much as she needs it and then take it from there, hopefully it will not be too long before she is feeling better

Thanks for the replies. The doctor phoned yesterday afternoon to confirm the blood tests say it is glandular fever and she has been so ill I am not surprised. She is improving after about a week of being basically in bed and will finish a course of antibiotics which she was prescribed before they knew it was definitely GF - her throat was so bad. Although they are not supposed to work for GF doc said to finish taking.

I have read all the NHS stuff online but I'm still not 100% sure how long it lasts and poor DD wants to know if she has to stay away from her boyfriend. Anyone know if it is infectious beyond a week or two of main symptoms?

She has a uni portfolio interview next week and final project for her level 3 BTEC this term. Luckily she has an offer for her first choice uni already and hopefully if college is helpful she will get the grades needed as she is on track for them. I think she will just have to see how it goes with the amount of work she can do. The college is quite far away so travel is very tiring and I will have to drive her I think. I am wondering whether to keep her off for another week?

With glandular fever you may be looking at several weeks off.
You need to talk to college asap.

ok thanks 3littlefrogs I will call them on Monday.