Late effects on the spleen

With a very small portion of the people ill with Pfeifferschem glandular fever, the spleen can rupture. The spleen as a lymph organ may be reactively enlarged during the disease. The exact size can be examined by ultrasound. In the second or third week of the disease, the risk of rupture is greatest, as the patient feels better and starts activities again. If the spleen is ruptured and permanently damaged or had to be removed, this means that this patient is more susceptible to certain pathogens.

Late effects on the brain

In severe cases of glandular fever, the central nervous system may be involved. This can be manifested by a new occurrence of seizures, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell’s syndrome, myelitis, encephalitis, meningitis or cerebral nerve paralysis. Non-reversible damage to the nervous system during one of these symptoms can cause permanent impairment even after the disease has passed. Scar tissue in the brain may continue to cause spasms, possible paralysis may persist and inflammatory processes in the brain may cause permanent damage to hearing, cognition or vision.

Late effects on the immune system

Since the pathogens of whistling glandular fever directly attack the immune cells of the human body, multiply there and remain there even after the disease, one can speak of a lifelong persistence in the body. If the immune system remains intact, it can control the virus in the B lymphocytes. If the immune system is damaged by other factors, for example in the case of HIV infection, the virus can be reactivated. It has also been found that the Epstein Barr virus can weaken the function of the immune system and in some areas of Africa or Asia certain types of cancer can occur more frequently in connection with this.

Fatigue as a late consequence

Characteristic for the typical course of a Pfeiffer’s glandular fever is the extremely strong tiredness over the time of the illness. In some cases, this pronounced physical weakness may persist even after the other symptoms of the disease have healed.Patients describe a condition characterized by fatigue throughout, which does not improve even with bed rest. In particular, sleep is not perceived as restful and ordinary everyday activities require more effort than usual. No organic cause for this symptom has been found so far.