fever

Glandular Fever – Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment

Glandular fever is a viral infection and it is more common among people between age 10 to 25 years. This infection usually occurs at teenage age. Epstein-Barr named virus is responsible for glandular fever. It is mainly spread through saliva. It is also spread by airborne droplets. It is also called as “kissing disease”.
The virus multiplies in the cells at the back of the throat and spreads to the lymph glands, which produce white blood cells to fight infection. Glandular fever is a contagious disease.

CAUSES OF GLANDULAR FEVER
- Epstein-Barr VIRUS.
- Spread through saliva.
- Spread through kissing.
- Eating and drinking from the same utensils.

SYMPTOMS OF GLANDULAR FEVER
- Sore throat.
- Fever.
- Uneasiness and Tiredness.
- Pain in the muscles.
- Headache.
- Swelling in lymph nodes.
- This fever can finally lead to jaundice.
- Sometimes, red rashes occur.
- Fatigue.

WHAT ARE RISKS OF GLANDULAR FEVER?
Sometimes, glandular fever can become complicated. If not taken and considered seriously, it can lead to following diseases:
- Jaundice
- Hepatitis
- Anemia
- Pneumonia
- Inflammation of brain.
- Tender spleen.
- Inflammation of heart muscle.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF GLANDULAR FEVER
Symptoms are checked and blood and throat tests are done. Glandular fever takes at least two to three weeks to go. There is no specific treatment for glandular fever. Since it is a viral infection, no specific medicines are prescribed. Doctors can give pain killers to relieve pain. One should do the following:
- Drink lot of fluids.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Take a lot of rest.
- Wait for at least 8 weeks before going for any physical activity.
- Maintain proper hygiene.
- Do not share same containers of drinks and food.
- Avoid fatty foods.
- Foods easy to digest should be taken.
- Foods rich in Vitamin C should be taken.

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COMMON FEVER

Fever refers to a condition of the body in which the temperature of the body goes beyond normal. The average temperature of a healthy body ranges between 36.9 degree C and 37.5 degree C. The lowest temperature of the body occurs between the ours of 1:30 am to 7 am and the highest between 4pm to 9pm.

Causes & Symptoms

Slight shivering, headache and pain in various parts of the body, thirst and lassitude. Flow of urine is scanty. With increase in fever, pulse and respiration becomes faster.
Fever is the symptom of a body’s fight against infection. The real cause of all fevers is the accumulation of morbid matter in the system due to wrong feeding habits and unhygienic living habits.

Remedies:

1.Saffron : Tea made by putting half teaspoon of saffron in 30ml of water. A teaspoon of this tea should be given every hour to the patient.
2.Holy Basil : Decoction of 12gms of holy basil leave boiled in ½ litre water should be taken twice daily with ½ cup milk + 1 tsp sugar + ¼ tsp choti elaichi.
3.Raisins : Prepare extract by soaking 25 raisins in ½ cup water & then crushing them in same water. They are then strained & skin is discarded. The raisin water prepared is a tonic. Add ½ tsp of lime juice. Taken twice daily.
4.Grape Fruit : Juice of grapefruit taken quenches thirst & removes burning sensation. Taken as ½ juice + ½ water.
5.Orange : Orange juice provides energy, increase urinary output, and promotes body resistance against infections, thereby hastening recovery.

Dietary Considerations
Drink juice of an orange in a glass of warm water every two hours from 8am to 8pm. After temperature comes down to normal and tongue is cleared, the patient may adopt an all fruit diet for few more days. Thereafter, he may continue with a well balanced diet.