This NHS content is written for people in England. Services, entitlements and contact routes may differ in other countries.
Symptoms of glandular fever
Glandular fever is most common in people aged 15 to 24 years old.
Symptoms of glandular fever may include:
- high temperature
- swollen glands, which may be in the neck, head, armpits, elbows, or groin
- sore throat
- a rash, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin
- headache
- tiredness
See a GP if you have:
- a very high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
- a severe sore throat
- swelling either side of your neck – swollen glands
- extreme tiredness or exhaustion
- a sore throat that's not getting better
Call NHS 111 if you have:
- difficulty breathing – you may be more short of breath than usual
- difficulty and pain when swallowing
Call 999 if you:
- cannot swallow, including your own spit (saliva)
- have severe difficulty breathing – you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out
- have severe stomach pain
A&E safety messaging (for 999 only)
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
How to treat glandular fever yourself
Glandular fever should get better by itself, and you should start to feel better within 2 to 4 weeks.
There are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms.
Do
rest
drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration – drink small sips frequently if it's painful to swallow
take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not give aspirin to children under 16 years old)
Don't
do not do strenuous activities like heavy lifting or playing sports
How to stop glandular fever spreading
Glandular fever is spread through spit, so you can get it through kissing or by sharing cups or cutlery.
You're infectious for up to 7 weeks before you get symptoms, and you may be infectious for several months after being unwell.
You can go back to work or school as soon as you start to feel better.
To prevent glandular fever spreading:
Do
wash your hands regularly
wash anything that may have your spit on it
Don't
do not kiss others
do not share cups or cutlery
do not give blood
What happens at your GP appointment
A GP may order a blood test to confirm if you have glandular fever and to rule out other illnesses, like tonsillitis. The blood test will test for the Epstein-Barr virus, which usually causes glandular fever.
The GP will not give you antibiotics. Glandular fever is caused by a virus so antibiotics will not work.
Glandular fever complications
Most people get better with no problems. But sometimes glandular fever may lead to other problems like:
- liver conditions, such as hepatitis
- heart problems, such as inflammation of the heart
- kidney problems
- blood conditions, such as low levels of blood cells called platelets (thrombocytopenia) or sepsis
- neurological conditions, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or Bell's palsy
- a ruptured (burst) spleen
- long-term tiredness (chronic fatigue) which may last for several months
Glandular fever
Glandular fever
Glandular fever
Symptoms of glandular fever may include a high temperature, swollen glands, a sore throat, a rash, headache, and tiredness.
Glandular fever should get better by itself, but you can help ease the symptoms by resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking painkillers.
If you have glandular fever, you can help stop it spreading by not kissing anyone and not sharing your cups or cutlery.
Content supplied by the NHS website, refreshed 19 August 2026. View the original NHS article ↗
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