Treatment of whistling glandular fever

Synonyms

The Pfeiffersche glandular-fever is also named:

  • Pfeiffer glandular fever
  • Mononucleosis
  • Infectious Mononucleosis
  • Mononucleosis infectiosa
  • Monocyteangina
  • Pfeiffer’s disease
  • Kissing disease
  • Epstein-Barr

In medical terminology, the term “whistling glandular fever” refers to an infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. In most cases, Pfeiffer’s glandular fever is a harmless viral infection that heals completely. On average, about 95 percent of all people within Europe become infected with the responsible virus at least once by the age of 30.

Since the disease in most cases (especially in children under 10 years of age) occurs completely without symptoms, an infection can only be proven by the detection of antibodies in the blood. Young people and adults in particular develop flu-like symptoms after contact with the Epstein-Barr virus. Complications are only rarely triggered by Pfeiffer’s glandular fever.

Therapy

What exactly the affected patients can do during the illness phase depends on their own general condition. This can vary greatly depending on the patient and the course of the disease. In the case of high fever, the patient should above all ensure a sufficient fluid intake.

During infectious diseases associated with high fever, the organism usually loses large amounts of fluid. This is mainly due to increased perspiration and activation of the immune system. In order to accelerate the healing process, it is therefore of utmost importance to consume more water than usual.

In particularly severe cases, a hospital stay for venous fluid administration may also be useful and necessary. In addition, the affected patients can take various antipyretic drugs to combat the fever and, if they feel very flabby and sleepy, various antipyretic drugs. Pfeiffer’s glandular fever is a viral infection that is difficult to treat.

In contrast to infectious diseases caused by bacteria, it is not advisable to take antibiotics for viral diseases. First and foremost, the patient should be given plenty of rest. During the first days after the outbreak of the disease, bed rest must be maintained.

Sleep and physical rest are particularly helpful in giving the body the strength to fight the viruses. A special preparation for the treatment of the Pfeiffer’s glandular fever is unfortunately not yet available. An antipyretic therapy, i.e. the treatment of fever in cases of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, can simply be carried out at home after consulting a doctor.

In children it is important that the dosage of the medication is adapted to the weight. There are different forms in which the medication can be taken, such as A proven medication is for example Ibuprofen. This also works against pain and is also anti-inflammatory.

From a temperature of 39° it is recommended to take antipyretic medication. Paracetamol should be avoided if the liver is involved. In this context, however, it should be noted that in most cases the fever is quite positive for the healing process.

Increasing the body core temperature (fever) can help to inhibit the reproduction of the viruses and prevent them from spreading. For this reason, fever reduction should really only be initiated in cases of indisposition and/or increasing deterioration of the general condition. A fundamental reduction of fever above a certain temperature (in most cases this is recommended from about 39.5°C), is therefore not recommended for viral infections such as whistling glandular fever.

  • Tablets,
  • Juice or
  • Suppositories.

Basically, it is very important that no antibiotic is needed for an uncomplicated form of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever and the use of an antibiotic is contraindicated. The disease is caused by the Epstein Barr virus and antibiotics only work on bacteria. If an aminopenicillin, for example amoxicillin or ampicillin, is given by mistake, this can cause an itchy rash.

However, there are also some things that people can do against these side effects. Soothing creams and ointments are particularly suitable for relieving the itching associated with the rashes.It also promotes the development of dangerous resistances to antibiotics when used without authorization. However, since an infection with the Eppstein-Barr virus is accompanied by an additional bacterial infection in about 10 percent of cases, the use of an antibiotic can be quite useful in this disease.

In this context, however, it must be clear to the patient concerned that this antibiotic is only used to combat the bacterial pathogens. The Eppstein-Barr virus remains completely untouched by this. Aminopenicillins are contraindicated in cases of glandular fever, as they can trigger a very unpleasant skin reaction, the drug exanthema.

These include ampicillin or amoxicillin. Which antibiotic is the best depends on the form of the additional infection with a bacterium. In 10% of cases, a so-called bacterial superinfection occurs.

Depending on the clinical findings and pathogen spectrum, the attending physician must then select the antibiotic that is most effective for the patient. The skin rash, which is caused by the incorrect administration of antibiotics in the case of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, usually lasts for several days. It may take three days for the rash to spread throughout the body.

Then it usually drags on for 14 days until it disappears again. As a first initiative, the antibiotic should be discontinued directly. This is not a classic allergy to an antibiotic, but a reaction of the body in the context of the Epstein-Barr virus infection.

After removing the trigger, the focus is then on alleviating the itching. For this purpose, locally applicable creams can be used for greasing. Ointments with glucocorticoids or antihistamines are also available.

This can reduce the reaction of the body. It is important that interactions with further medication are excluded. Scratching in case of itching should be avoided to prevent scarring.

If necessary, gloves can help to prevent unconscious scratching during sleep at night. In the treatment of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, symptom relief plays an important role. Old household remedies in particular can quickly and efficiently lead to an improvement of the symptoms.

The patients often suffer from high fever. Fever quickly leads to a loss of fluid, which can be very dangerous, especially in children. In order to counteract this, care should be taken to ensure a sufficient drinking quantity.

Liquids in the form of water, juices or broth can counteract the loss of water and lower the fever. Calf compresses are also used to reduce fever. To reduce the swelling of the mucous membranes, cooling curd compresses can be applied to the neck.

Gargling with salt water has an anti-inflammatory effect and also relieves the painful swelling of the lymph nodes. Drinking ginger or chamomile tea also has an anti-inflammatory effect and calms irritated mucous membranes. In the treatment of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, the naturopathic approach of homeopathy is becoming increasingly important in today’s society.

The use of homeopathic remedies leads above all to an alleviation of the symptomatic symptoms, a reduction in fever and a reduction in swelling of the irritated and reddened mucous membranes. Belladona is often used as a homeopathic remedy for the treatment of fever. Belladona reduces inflammatory processes and leads to a regulation of body temperature.

Other remedies used to treat whistling glandular fever are Aconitum and Ferrum phosphoricum. These remedies also reduce fever and relieve acute agitation. Patients suffering from Pfeiffer’s glandular fever often suffer from irritated and swollen mucous membranes, especially in the throat area.

The application of Belladona or potassium chloratum leads to a decongestation of the irritated mucous membrane, has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces the painful swelling of the lymph nodes. All homeopathic remedies are administered in tablet form and can be dissolved in some water. Overall, homeopathic remedies can significantly support the treatment process by strengthening the body and helping the immune system to activate the body’s own repair systems.

Schüssler salts are used especially when a fresh inflammatory process is present. In case of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, the infection with the EBV virus leads to a strong inflammatory reaction, which provides an optimal point of attack for the treatment with Schüssler salts.The salts include ferrum phosphoricum, potassium phosphoricum, potassium chloratum and sodium sulfuricum. They can be administered in tablet form 3 to 6 times a day before meals.

It is possible to combine several salts. In general, they have anti-inflammatory effects and also relieve symptomatic complaints such as fever, fatigue, and states of physical restlessness. A common symptom of whistling glandular fever is sore throat with swollen tonsils.

Typical for the Epstein Barr virus is a grayish, malodorous coating on the pharyngeal tonsils. Certain antibiotics should be avoided, since tonsillitis is not caused by a bacterium and can cause a skin rash.

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  1. Treatment of whistling glandular fever
  2. Differences from adult to child