infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever)

Question 1

what causes infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 1

Epstein Barr virus (EBV)

Question 2

where is EBV found in patients infected with infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 2

-in their saliva

Question 3

True or False

Patients with glandular fever are only infectious when presenting with symptoms

Answer 3

FALSE

-they can be infectious several weeks before the illness begins and intermittently for the remainder of the patients life

Question 4

who does EBV affect more severely?

Answer 4

teenagers and young adults

-most people are infected with EBV as children and experience very little symptoms

Question 5

what medications cause patients with glandular fever to develop an itchy maculopapular rash?

Answer 5

• amoxicillin

- cefalosporins

Question 6

what are some symptoms of infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 6

• fever
• sore throat
• fatigue
• lymphadenopathy
• tonsillar enlargement
• splenomegaly and in rare cases splenic rupture

Question 7

what do IgM antibodies in someone with glandular fever suggest?

Answer 7

-acute infection

Question 8

what do IgG antibodies suggest in someone with glandular fever?

Answer 8

-IgG antibodies persist after the condition and suggest immunity

Question 9

what is the treatment for glandular fever?

Answer 9

• no treatment it is self limiting
• bed rest
• paracetamol
• avoid sport
• acute illness lasts around 2 to 3 weeks however it can leave the patient with fatigue for several months after the infection has cleared

DO NOT PRESCRIBE AMPICILLIN