Does a blood test treat glandular fever?

Glandular fever, also called infectious mononucleosis, may cause a sore throat, swollen glands, fever, and pronounced fatigue. A blood test can examine the blood count and look for antibodies linked with the infection. Results depend on when the sample is taken, so a clinician may interpret the test with your symptoms and examination.

Treatment is usually supportive: rest when needed, drink enough fluid, and use suitable pain or fever relief according to medical advice. Avoid strenuous exercise and contact sports until a clinician says they are safe, because the spleen can become enlarged. Antibiotics do not treat the viral cause, although another bacterial infection may need separate assessment.

Seek urgent help for severe difficulty breathing or swallowing, inability to keep fluids down, intense abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness. Contact a clinician if fever persists, fatigue is disabling, or symptoms are not improving as expected.

Ask whether your symptoms fit glandular fever, when testing is most useful, how long to avoid sport, which medicines are suitable, and what signs should prompt urgent review.