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Glandular Fever (Swollen 'Lymph Glands' in Neck)

Hi,

I've got quite a large lump just under my chin, which I believe to be a swollen lymph gland. From what I've learnt from Google this is caused from an infection, however it could be indication of several nasty diseases if it spreads to other glands - although my swelling seems to be localised to just my chin/neck.

After a little more research I think it's probably glandular fever, seeing as this girl I barely even like kissed me a couple of days ago, and apparently it can be spread by kissing... so now I have 'the kissing disease'. argh, stupid girl.

So, my question is, I'm not convinced it's worth going to the doctors as I suspect it will resolve itself soon. Has anyone else had this before, and should it just go away?

I've been taking ibuprofen as an anti-inflamatory which should help - although from what I gather glandular fever is caused by a virus rather than bacteria therefore antibiotics have no effect; so should ibuprofen help or not?

Thank yooou :smile:

!
Alex

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Reply 1

Logan

have a quick trip to your gp, better safe than sorry :biggrin:

So im sure that girl youve kissed has got the virus for g fever... however, its good to be 100% sure

Reply 2

spider from mars

Glandular fever is very nasty. A couple of people in my halls got it last year, and they had to go home for ages. It can last for a really long time, and so it's unwise to try and treat it yourself. I think you'd have more symptoms if it really was glandular fever tbh, rather than just a lump.

Is the lump on just one side? Could be mumps. Any aching on that side of your face? When I got mumps the lump and swelling appeared a few days before the pain, but believe me, if it comes, you'll damn well know about it.

I went to the doctor a few days ago because of a mild sore throat that wasn't shifting, coupled with a lump around my glands and apparently I have tonsillitus.

Reply 3

jinglepupskye

I can second that about the pain with mumps.

My mum has mumps at the moment and she has been in agony with the pain and practically crying at times. She has taken boatloads of paracetamol and is currently using a nylon slip as a muffler round her neck, as a scarf feels too heavy and makes the pain worse.

She gets some pain relief by gentle massaging of the most painful parts which seems to help in some way, possibly by assisting drainage from the glands. Her mumps started with swelling in the cheek in front of the ear on one side then after three or four days the swellings appeared under the jaw on the other side of her face.

She can speak as normal but she could hardly open her jaws enough to eat and chewing has been virtually impossible. She has been ill for over a fortnight now and although the swelling is starting to go down she still feels washed out.

If you do get these symptoms you must inform your GP as mumps is a notifiable disease and records need to kept of how many people are getting this disease.

Reply 4

pinkfairybeth

Definitely go to your gp- I've had Glandular fever and it's horrible. It can last for years as well, so it's better to know. Yes it's true that there isnt anything that they can give you but you should find out because if you have it you need to rest because that's the only way it will get better. I was in alot of pain with the sorest throat I've ever had, so paracetamol took the edge off it a little bit for me, but it was still very nasty.

However, I think I'm right in saying that alot of sore throat type things can be passed through kissing, so just because you kissed a girl doesn't mean it's GF.

Better to be safe than sorry! Also if you are in uni they may give you special consideration for exams etc as if you do have GF you might not be able to sit them/ will prob perform poorly.

Reply 5

ryan_forest

I also had a lump on my neck sometime last year, i went to the doctors and seen a nurse at the start and she said it was it cyst. Then i went back to see another doctor because i didnt think the nurse had a clue who looked at me.
The doctor said it may be a swollen lympth gland and sent me in for a blood test. I got the results and he said i had a low white blood cell count so sent me away for another one 10 days or so later. I then got a letter from the doctors saying they really need to see me (because it was the white blood cell count was low again). The doctor who i was seeing before though was on holiday so i had to see another one. And this other doctor said my white blood cell count was only marginally low and nothing to worry about!

Just shows some doctors really dont seem to have a clue. 2 doctors and a nurse telling me different things. The lump eventually went down after a few months. Mustve been a swollen lympth gland because a few weeks before it came i had a bad throat.

But the first doctor was ****ting me up big time lol, talking about cancers etc.

Reply 6

iliketurtles

Will see a GP asap in that case :smile:

Is it usual to have no doctors surgeries open on a Saturday? There appear are to be none in Durham open over the weekend :frown:

I've just called NHS Direct and I'm waiting for them to call me back, so I hope they can reassure me slightly!

Thanks,
Alex

Reply 7

Fleece

From what you've said I don't really think it's GF.

I had GF in fresher's week last year and it lasted well past Christmas...it was the most painful sore throat ever, they even kept me in the sick bay at the doctors.

It can be diagnosed by a simple blood test though, and obviously if it is GF then you'll need it diagnosing because there's a good chance you'll be off uni/work for a long time.

Reply 8

pikaboo

Nooo don't take antibiotics, and really have a go at your GP if he suggests them. Mine did, I bet he just wanted to test if I really had glandular fever or not (nasty man) and I came out in an all-over body rash which lasted days and was so itchy. That's a common reaction.

Rest is the best cure :smile:

Reply 9

DarkWhite

Don't jump on the mumps conclusion though. Your GP, providing he/she is better than mine will tell you exactly what it is. My GP wrongly diagnosed my sister of having the mumps and so she didn't go in for 3 or 4 of her GCSE exams. She thinks she came out better than she would have if she sat them, as they graded her on predicted marks and coursework. After the exams, we went and looked at the symptoms she was getting on NHS Direct, and then went to another GP and to a friend who works as a nurse, and came to the conclusion that it was simply swollen glands.

Just goes to say that it's probably not the easiest thing in the word to tell apart, so get your doctor's advice before doing anything yourself :wink:

Get some rest and chew your toast well! (I just like toast)

Reply 10

iliketurtles

NHS Direct said to drink plenty of water and take paracetamol and ibuprofen, and see my GP on Monday (or go to a 24 hour surgery which is 25 mins away and I have no means of getting there).

Pikaboo, do you like Pikachu? I went out in fancy dress dressed as a Pikachu at the start of term :biggrin:

Reply 11

iliketurtles

Update!!!

Ok, so since I last replied my parents came up to Durham (home is only 30mins away) to take me out for a meal for my birthday which was last week. I told my mum about the problem on the phone earlier, but once she arrived she insisted we wnt to hospital...

...so off we go to the nearest 24 hour drop in centre (in Peterlee). After waiting a while in the waiting room with the most disfunctional family ive ever seen running around screaming, i saw a junior doctor who couldnt really figure out what the problem was but he confirmed it wasnt mumps or any other typical problem. I was then referred to Sunderland Royal Hospital (where I am now) for further diagnosis.

After waiting again here (whilst watching casualty-which wasnt the most appropriate thing to have on the waiting room TV!) they inserted a fiber optic camera through my nose to check my airway in case it was restricted. Everything seemed ok, so next the nurse inserted a needle into the lump/cyst/swelling to see if there was any puss inside (there wasnt :smile:

).

Theyve decided to keep me in overnight for observation and also to administer a IV drip. I have tubes and 'blood taps' (dont know the proper word!) in my hands/arms, into which fluid is being squeezed into occasionally, and im also wearing the surprisingly comfortable standard-issue NHS pyjamas.

I have no idea why people are so critical of the NHS; the service I have received today has been amazing and Im still able to check my emails, chat on MSN, read TSR, browse facebook, watch TV and use the phone. The food has also been really nice - wish I could stay for longer! I should be out tomorrow and I might go home for a few days rest :smile:

Alex (lying in his hospital bed)

Reply 12

dooby

Good luck, get well soon. I had glandular fever over easter, it was horrendous! Literally couldnt move for about 2 weeks! Still feeling under the weather even now, although I think I've been luckier than some others who get it!

Reply 13

pikaboo

Hope you get better soon and it's not serious! The pikachu costume is amazing :biggrin:

Reply 14

iliketurtles

bigred

... wish I could stay for longer!

I spoke too soon - I have to stay for another night now I just want to go home, I'm getting bored!

Reply 15

isabella

bigred

I spoke too soon - I have to stay for another night now I just want to go home, I'm getting bored!

Atleast u've got tv & can access the internet :smile:

I hope u feel better very soon

Reply 16

jinglepupskye

I was supposed to start my physio placement at a local hospital on Tuesday but I can't do it as I have a large pin sticking out the from my toe! I'm surprised they sent you to Sunderland though, it would normally be Hartlepool. Hope they soon sort you out and you can get back to Durham where I supose you are preparing for eams and assignments.

I've just noticed that you said about having no transport from Durham to Peterlee. There is a half-hour bus service from Durham to Peterlee, 241 and 243 Arriva buses, and the bus station is only 10 minutes walk from the bus station - or a taxi ride if you are feeling lazy or in funds!

Reply 17

dhirenshivji88

i think i remeber getting similar symptoms about 2 years ago my lymph gland sin my neck had swollen up and i couldnt it as it was really sore i went to my gp he gave me paracetamol and iburoprofen i had like small red speckles on the top of the inside of my mouth it took about 4 weeks to clear up fully the worst was it happened to me in late may just before my exams :mad:

Reply 18

iliketurtles

jinglepupskye

I've just noticed that you said about having no transport from Durham to Peterlee. There is a half-hour bus service from Durham to Peterlee, 241 and 243 Arriva buses, and the bus station is only 10 minutes walk from the bus station - or a taxi ride if you are feeling lazy or in funds!

Yes, but I'm lazy and dislike buses, especially Arriva ones.

I'm finally out from hospital now, I was there for quite a long time (Sat-Tues) considering I was only expecting to stay "just overnight". The lumps gone down and I've got some antibiotics to take. I've got the proper name of what they suspect I had, although I can't seem to find the piece of paper its written on. If I find it I'll update everyone :smile:

Reply 19