glandular fever

[jp_2031]

So, today the doctor examined me and said I had tonsillitis; my tonsils have swollen pretty bad and im finding it hard to swallow anything. But he also said, i might have glandular fever. So, he gave me penicillin, and took my blood.
He said i can return to university next week

But I've read here and there about glandular fever and tonsillitis, they are contagious? So, is it really safe for me to return to university next week?

I dont care about the fever, those symptoms i can put up with, but the pain in my throat is unbelievable, the space that I have to swallow is tiny, and it bloody hurts to drink water :'( How long will it take for this to go away :'(

[Sqad]

Tonsillitis....you are not infective........go back to Uni when you feel well...probably 10-14days

Glandular fever ...this IS contagious.......and no you cannot return to Uni next week.

Sounds like Tonsillitis, but you must wait for the blood test.

[jp_2031]

you think he meant its either tonsillitis or glandular fever? Ah, that would make seance
The blood test result will be ready sometime after next Tuesday, so I guess i'll have to wait till then :(

[OLIVIA26]

hi there, GF is diagnosed by a definative blood test which usually takes about 24 hours to process. Although the Epstein-Barr virus (GFever) is not very contagious, it spreads from person to person in saliva, which is why it is sometimes called the kissing disease. It also spreads through coughing and sneezing and probably in tiny droplets in the air when people talk. Tonsillitis is contagious because of the nasal fluids and drops coming out of the mouth, while sneezing and coughing are infectious enough to spread the disease to other persons quickly. If it is tonsillitis then the antibiotics should work~ sounds like your gp thinks this diagnosis more probable. Its alot easier to treat. GF can last for months and depending on how intense it is depends on how long you feel symptomatic. I have had GF and it lasted for 1 year and i was so lethargic and ill it was hard to get up and running, on the good side you usually only contract GF once in your life if at all. I wish you well and hope the tablets work :)

[saxy_jag]

My GP told me once that they don't usually give penicillin for Glandular Fever. I found out when I'd been given by a locum for a throat infection. It had the desired effect but brought me out in a skin rash, although penicillin's never affected me like that before or since. GP said the reaction was a sign that I'd probably had Glandular Fever. She tested me and sure enough, that's what I'd had.

Luckily I didn't pass it on to anyone - not that I know of, anyway.

[NoMercy]

I have been plagued with GF for years on and off. I suffered with extreme fatigue, jaundice, enlarged liver and spleen and secondary tonsilitis. The pain from swallowing, loss of appetite and raging fever were too awful to describe. If you have GF... no, you will not be able to go back to University next week. If this is GF and it is the first time, you could be up and down for the next year or so.

[netibiza]

I had glandular fever (mononucleosis - kissign disease) when I was 16 and was ill for months, very sore and swollen.