Glandular Pfeiffer fever

Glandular glandular fever: symptoms like a cold

Pfeiffer's glandular fever is an infectious disease cause by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It belongs to the herpes virus family and is spread all over the world. Doctors also refer to Pfeiffer's glandular fever as infectious mononucleosis. The symptoms of Pfeiffer's glandular fever can - depending on age - be very different and differently pronounced:

• In young children , Pfeiffer's glandular fever often does not cause any symptoms and goes unnoticed. Pfeiffer's glandular fever is also possible without fever and other symptoms.
• Pfeiffer's glandular fever in children is harmless in many cases. Often the symptoms initially resemble those of a cold (flu-like infection), for example tiredness, a slight fever and only slightly swollen lymph nodes. Pfeiffer's glandular fever in children often goes undetected because the disease only lasts a few days and is mild. Many parent assume that their child is going through a cold.
• It is sometimes different for adolescents and adults : They can sometimes develop very severe symptoms that last for a long time.

Recognize glandular fever

Glandular glandular fever often manifests itself through the following symptoms:

• At the beginning: tiredness, exhaustion, exhaustion, headache , body aches, loss of appetite
• Fever, which can sometimes get very high
• Swollen lymph node, especially on the neck and neck, but also under the armpits, chest and stomach, they can become thick
• Sore throat and pharynx with severe sore throat, reddened pharynx and difficulty swallowing
• Tonsillitis : Pfeiffer's glandular fever causes the tonsils to swell, usually they are gray-white; Hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and bad breath may occur
• Pfeiffer's glandular fever can cause the spleen to swell: nausea, abdominal pain or diarrhea are possible. The spleen can enlarge to such an extent that a rupture of the spleen is possible, for example during exercise.

Glandular Pfeiffer fever: less common symptoms

The following complaints can also occur with the infectious disease:

• Photophobia
• Shortness of breath due to swollen throat
• Glandular fever can cause a rash ; the rash looks similar to that of the childhood diseases measles , rubella or scarlet fever
• Liver swelling and jaundice with nausea, abdominal pain, or gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea
• Is the central nervous system involved with the brain and spinal cord: paralysis of the head, inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and meninges.

Pfeiffer's glandular fever: Infection mostly through kissing

The infection with glandular fever occurs from person to person, primarily through saliva, but sometimes also through coughing, sneezing or speaking. This path of infection is called droplet infection. Especially when kissing, droplets of saliva wander back and forth between two people who have the Epstein-Barr virus. Then the transmission of Pfeiffer's glandular fever takes place and the other person picks up the virus through the mucous membranes. Because most people become infected while kissing, the disease is also called "kissing disease".

Almost everyone in Germany has come into contact with the Epstein-Barr virus. It is estimated thats around 95 percent of the population in this country will be exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus by the age of 30.

Even small children can get infected when parents kiss them. And during puberty, when young people have extensive kissing experiences, they often contract Pfeiffer's glandular fever. The same applies to students, which is why the infectious disease is colloquially known as “student fever”.

Pfeiffer's glandular fever: Contagion in other ways

In addition, infection through contaminated objects is presumably possible. Doctors call this route of transmission smear infection . For adults, it is often shared glasses, drinking bottles or cutlery. In the case of children, it can be toys that they put in their mouths and then pass on to others. It is also possible that people transmit the Epstein-Barr virus through direct body contact via other body fluids, for example during sex. Then doctors speak of contact infection .

Pfeiffer's glandular fever: The incubation period is very long

The period between infection with glandular fever and the onset of the disease - the incubation period - can vary considerably. However, compared to other infectious diseases, it is very long. In children, it takes about ten days for symptoms to appear. In adults, the incubation period for glandular fever is between 30 and 50 days. Even if you don't notice any symptoms yourself, you can pass the Epstein-Barr virus on to others during this time.

Pfeiffer's glandular fever: how long is it contagious?

Infected people excrete the Epstein-Barr virus with their saliva. Even if the symptoms have long since subsided, the saliva can still be infectious months or even years later. So you can not only transmit the virus if you are sick yourself, but also when you are healthy again.

The Epstein-Barr virus is ones of the herpes viruses. And these viruses have a special feature: they remain in the body for life. Unlike other viruses, such as cold viruses, the body does not throw them out again. Once infected, the virus will last a lifetime. It "hides" permanently in a certain type of white blood cell, the monocytes (also called B lymphocytes or B memory cells) and changes them. And doctors can recognize these immune cells in the blood count. This fact gave Pfeiffer glandular fever the name “infectious mononucleosis, ie“ monocytes that have changed due to infection ”.

However, an intact immune system keeps the virus under control and its concentration in the saliva low, so that Pfeiffer's glandular fever does not break out. However, under certain conditions, such as a weakened immune system, the Epstein-Barr virus can become active again. Then it spreads from the blood cells back into the saliva and you can infect other people. The person affected usually no longer feels any symptoms. Anyone who has become infected with the herpes virus can pass it on to others for their entire life. However, the following applies: Anyone who has suffered from glandular fever once is immune to the disease for life - so they cannot become infected a second time.

Glandular Pfeiffer fever in pregnancy

The Epstein-Barr virus, which cause glandular fever, is very widespread. Most women are therefore infected long before pregnancy and are therefore immune to the pathogen. So you can't get infected again. The mother transfers this immune protection to her baby. It lasts for about half a year ("nest protection"). After that, however, your child can become infected with the EBV.

Since many of the body's defense processes are suppressed in pregnant women, viruses can be reactivated and multiply again. Pfeiffer's glandular fever can reappear (weakened). Pregnancy complications such as anemia, a ruptured spleen or meningitis are very rare.

An initial infection with EBV during pregnancy is extremely rare . According to scientists, pregnant women seem to be able to transmit EBV to their unborn child through the placenta. There are contradicting information in the specialist literature on the increased risk of premature births and miscarriages as well as malformations in the unborn child - the connections are not scientifically proven. Recent studies do not show an increased risk of malformations. Other research has shown that the heart, liver, and eyes can all be damaged.

In general, pregnant women should have a comprehensive medical examination and monitor the course of Pfeiffer's glandular fever.