Differences between flu + glandular fever?

What are they?

It came on fully yday. muscle aches, throat/chesty, deep cough, fatigue, weakness. oh and fever (hot, cold shivers)

Should i go to the docs on monday or leave it for a while?

Reply 1

*tinkabella*

if you have glandular fever all your glands will be inflamed, i.e in your neck, under your arms and your groin. However it is likely that flu will cause the glands in your neck to inflame anyway as your body is fighting the infection. Id say yeah, if you are still feeling the same on monday go to the doc, who can do a blood test for glandular fever. There is no treatment for either apart from resting, but glandular fever can have you out of action for a LONG time, so it would be best to know if you have it.
xx

Reply 2

kizer

15

Speaking as someone who has had both...

They have similar symptoms, although glandular fever tends to affect your energy levels more than flu, and as the above poster mentioned, lasts a lot longer. Typically you might be in bed for 1-2 months at first, then your energy will steadily increase, fully recovering after 6 months/1 year. And illnesses you get during that time will be worse than it would have been, again that effect decreases over time. The glandular synptoms themselves 9ie flu-like) might recur 3 or 4 times over a year, affecting you for maybe a week. However this is about an average reaction to it - some people get off easier, and after one month feel basically ok, while some are stuck home for 6 months+, there isn't really a way of predicting that I'm afraid.

A different virus causes glandular fever (Epstein-Barr virus), and as the above poster mentioned again, it is easily detected with a blood test.

If you do have it though don't feel too bad - the worst is probably over pretty quickly, you won't be contagious for long and think of all the work you can catch up on!! (Or tv shows you can memorise!)

Reply 3

kizer

15

erk

It came on fully yday. muscle aches, throat/chesty, deep cough, fatigue, weakness. oh and fever (hot, cold shivers)

Should i go to the docs on monday or leave it for a while?

Oh and for this question, if it only came on yesterday I'd leave it till next week at least - flu is much more common than glandular fever, so no need to worry too much just yet.

Reply 4

joyabbott

There's an outbreak of Influenza B at the moment which would fit with the symptoms you're describing. (I've had it, and sounds same as you). Also had EBV, and it is quite different.

Only thing for it is lots of rest, take paracetamol, drink lots of fluid. It may take up to 14 days or so before you're feeling 100% better, but afraid nothing much else you can do.

Reply 5

Ay! Dirty Boy!

1

erk

What are they?

It came on fully yday. muscle aches, throat/chesty, deep cough, fatigue, weakness. oh and fever (hot, cold shivers)

Should i go to the docs on monday or leave it for a while?

u should leave it for a while. gladular fever has the same symtoms as viral infections on ur tonsels so it is hard to tel. normally u go to the doctors and recieve antibiotics if they dont work u get a blood test. that defines Glandular fever.

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

Ay! Dirty Boy!

u should leave it for a while. gladular fever has the same symtoms as viral infections on ur tonsels so it is hard to tel. normally u go to the doctors and recieve antibiotics if they dont work u get a blood test. that defines Glandular fever.

yeh! give antibiotics and then wait till the EBV allergic reaction rash occurs.

Or you could, you know, not.

Like joyabbot said, its an Influenza B year this year (there are regular eipdemics of it, just like with Influenza A - difference is influenza B only infects humans) which can account for all the symptoms.

Now just about all systemic viruses will cause the same symptoms - aching joints, lethargy, headache, swollen glands etc. its best to wait it out for a couple of weeks. if it gets really bad see you gp. but if you just feel miserable and under the weather - like a bad cold sort of thing, then wait it out. most viruses rapidly start to improve after 7-10 days. if its still just as bas after this time then you can start thinking about seeing the doc.

by doing this you can save yourself and the doctors alot of time.

HTH

Differences between flu + glandular fever?

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