Glandular Fever

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

infectious mononeucleosis ‘mono’

Ebstein-Barr virus

Question 2

how does it present?

Answer 2

tonsillitis with confluent white exudate on the tonsils
gross tonsillar enlargement with membranous exudate
marked cervical lymphadenopathy
palatal petechial haemorrhages
generalised lymphadenopathy
hepatosplenomegaly

Question 3

how is it investigated?

Answer 3

atypical lymphocytes in peripheral blood
+ve Monospot or Paul Bunnell test
Low CRP <100

Question 4

how is it managed?

Answer 4

symptomatic treatment
do not prescribe ampicillin - diagnostic generalized macular rash will result
antibiotics
steroids