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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Glandular Fever. Is it all doom and gloom?

90 replies

Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 19:46

DS (18) was diagnosed with Tonsillitis earlier in the week but they are now doing a blood test as they think if might be Glandular Fever.

Everyone I have spoken to have been full of awful stories of being laid low for ages as a teenager.

Just wondering what he's in for. Sad

OP posts:
SneakyGremlins · 03/05/2018 19:47

I had about a month of barely leaving the bed, and still have some long lasting fatigue. Not what you want to hear I know Sad Sorry!

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 19:50

That's kind of what I have been hearing. I appreciate your honesty.

At the moment he has only been ill for a week. He's very down.

OP posts:
Groovee · 03/05/2018 19:51

I was about 3 months at age 12. 2 months at 16 and 2 months at 18. It really floored me.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 20:11

Oh no.Sad

Does it normally present as tonsillitis at first?

OP posts:
Figuregettingbigger · 03/05/2018 20:14

Very very bad throat, and yes he might be laid low for a while. I remember lying on my mum's couch, wishing i had the energy to pick up the remote so i could turn the station on the t.v.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 20:17

I keep trying to second guess it. He managed to get showered and dressed and go to the GP today so I think well he's up-that's good! He has a blood test in the morning which he will have to be up and out for.

He is going up and down the stairs and he is really hungry, but can't eat because he can't taste anything and it hurts to swallow.

OP posts:
Hamandcheesebaguette · 03/05/2018 20:21

I had it when I was 19 and it floored me for 5 weeks.

Even getting up and going to the toilet exhausted me and I had to sleep for 3 hours afterwards. I wouldn't wish it on anybody.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 20:27

I appreciate you all posting.

I suppose there's an outside chance it is just tonsillitis, the blood test will tell. But at the moment he seems better than the descriptions. I wonder if he'll get worse?

OP posts:
MummytoCSJH · 03/05/2018 20:35

Sorry to hear - I had it at 13 and I was laid up for 4 months. It was awful and at first the doctors didn't even check me for it. I fainted at an appointment and then they finally did the blood test I needed. Ended up on fluids too when I couldn't eat. Hope everything is okay!

Blueemeraldagain · 03/05/2018 20:39

I had it the Easter before my GCSE exams. It was horrible. Loads of fluids, gargle with an antiseptic mouthwash, a good multivitamin and lots of sleep. If he’s doing any exams start collecting doctor’s notes/letters and get the special consideration forms ASAP.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 20:42

He's in his last few weeks of his first year at Uni.

He is keeping his tutors informed and they are advising him, I was worried about that.

I just want to know which way this is going to go. I suppose he has the summer to get over it if it does turn out to be GF.

OP posts:
timeistight · 03/05/2018 20:43

I was 16. I was initially ill with sore throat, temp, swollen glands and then completely exhausted. It started in the summer holidays and I wasn't well enough to go back to school until Easter.

Sadly it kept me with ongoing health problems that were not properly diagnosed and treated until I was nearly 60. The good news is that at nearly 63 I feel better than I have done since I was a teenager.

purplemanholecover · 03/05/2018 20:46

I had it at 15/16 for about a year and a half in total... but I think I was just really unlucky, no other health conditions but my body just wouldn't fight it. I had good days/weeks and bad days/weeks. I never had a sore throat or any issues with that, it was severe fatigue and sore swollen glands especially in my groin and armpits. Most other people I know that had it only had it for a couple of weeks/ a month at most, I kept getting told it was very rare to have it as long! No real lasting symptoms, apart from the long lasting fatigue (which is 100x worse now I'm pregnant with my second! 😴)

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 20:56

Oh dear. It sounds horrible.

Of course it would be BH weekend so we will have to wait til Tuesday for blood test results. Poor DS, he's a sporty type.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2018 21:00

I had it when I was 12 and I ended up having n hospital with dehydration.
Had about a month off school but was very tired and forgetful when I went back.
Think I probably lost 6 months plus altogether, but as I was only young it wasn’t that big a deal academically
Hope your DS is ok

SpectacularAardvark · 03/05/2018 21:00

@timeistight, can I ask what finally helped you feel better please?

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 21:04

It will be a week tomorrow. He actually looked better today than he has all week. I dared to think he might be through the worst.

He's taken 8 antibiotic tablets a day for 5 days so far (when it was assumed to be tonsillitits) and has another 5 days to go with them. But if it is GF then they will be ineffectual.

OP posts:
fitflop · 03/05/2018 21:07

My DS(15) tested positive just before Easter this year.

His first symptoms were being unusually tired and swollen glands in his neck. Then after about two weeks he developed tonsillitis, at this point he was tested for glandular fever - this came back positive. His tonsillitis lasted about 10 days or so, he then had several mouth ulcers for a further week or so.

In total he was unwell for around 3-4 weeks but due to mocks he was adamant on continuing going to school (I gave him a note for PE). I put him on a good quality daily multi vitamin, daily actimal, plenty of fresh juices, weetabix (instead of his usual Cheerios etc) plus full fat milk for breakfast plus plenty of protein.

Luckily after the first 2 weeks he was off for Easter half term which really helped as he could rest and relax.

Our GP said most cases of GF last around a month but you tend to hear of the very bad cases so assume that it will last months.

My DS appears fine now and luckily seems to have got away with a mild case.

fitflop · 03/05/2018 21:11

Also just to add the blood results for glandular fever usually take a week to come back so likely you won't find out until at least next Thursday/Friday.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 21:13

I did think Tuesday would be a bit soon TBH. I will ask tomorrow when he has the blood taken.
No idea when he's going to get back to Uni at this rate. I definitely think a healthy eating plan with vitamins is an excellent idea.

OP posts:
fitflop · 03/05/2018 21:13

Sorry his blood test is tomorrow so the results will likely not be back until the following Friday (or may even the Monday after).

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 21:14

X post. But know what you mean. tuesday would be exceptionally speedy.

OP posts:
coldhardbitch · 03/05/2018 21:14

I had it at primary, I was bedded for months.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2018 21:15

I thought I had had it but i don't remember and I surely would have. I'll ask my Mum.

DS2 about to take his GCSEs so a bit jittery now.

OP posts:
Marmite27 · 03/05/2018 21:16

I had it at 5, and had 6 months off of school.

I’m in my 30’s now, and my mum reckons I still suffer from fatigue from it. I think I’m just lazy!