Is it allowed to do sports during whistling glandular fever?

An infection with the Eppstein-Barr virus can have different courses and can also last for different lengths of time depending on the age and immune status of the person affected. As long as symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion or fever are present, sporting activities should be avoided at all costs.Mostly, however, this is self-evident, since the infected person usually feels very weak and has no motivation to continue anyway. In addition, especially in team sports, the risk of infection during this time for the other players should be considered.

It is therefore advisable to wait until the symptoms have subsided completely and the person concerned is no longer at risk of infection. It should also be noted that a temporary enlargement of the spleen is possible in the context of this disease. This can then rupture preferentially during exertion and under certain circumstances a life-threatening rupture of the spleen (splenic rupture) with dangerous bleeding can occur.

However, this can be clarified in advance by means of an ultrasound examination to avoid further complications. Pfeiffer’s glandular fever is a serious infectious disease that often lasts for several weeks. The incubation period alone, i.e. the phase between infection with the virus and the appearance of the first symptoms, can be between one week and one month.

It is important that the symptoms are all completely healed before starting to exercise again. This includes fatigue, exhaustion and reduced performance. Once all these symptoms have subsided, sport can be started again after a few weeks.

It is recommended to start training easily before resuming a full load. A basic principle of the therapy of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever is physical rest. However, if sport is practiced, there is a risk that the disease becomes chronic and remains in the body for a very long time.

Furthermore, it can lead to a relapse with a worsening of the symptoms. Normally, due to the reduced general condition, especially at the beginning of the disease, it is not possible to perform sports activities anyway. The disease is usually cured after about 2-3 weeks.

Only after this time should sport be started gently. An overstraining of the immune system by the stress could mean a multiplication of the virus and thus lead to a relapse. If the body, weakened by the sport, becomes chronic, the disease can last up to 12 months.