What is the best way to treat glandular fever?

Ask:

My niece has glandular fever. She can’t get out of bed for more than a couple of hours and her throat is so swollen that she can’t swallow solids. She is in her final year at Cambridge University, where she is expected to take her first. What do you suggest?

Answer:

Glandular fever is the common name for a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It used to be called infectious mononucleosis or ‘kissing disease’ because the virus is spread through saliva. It attacks an impaired host, someone who has been working hard, sleeping less, eating poorly, and is lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. Teenagers are more likely to have glandular fever, as their lifestyle often means they expend more energy than they replenish.

Like all infections, this condition causes fever, chills, body aches, and a sore throat (pharyngitis), the most prominent symptom, and can persist for weeks or months. It also causes swelling of the lymph nodes because the virus enters the lymphocytes and multiplies there.

Glandular fever is viral, so antibiotics will be ineffective. As with all viral infections, the body eventually heals this problem on its own. It used to be said that if a virus is treated it is cured in a week, and if it is not cured in seven days. Unfortunately, recovery is not so fast nowadays and there can be serious complications. First, the virus may not be completely overpowered by the body, and then it can cause recurrent fever, sore throat, and swollen glands. These spikes of infection can continue as long as the body is weak. Many people also experience some degree of post viral fatigue, which can have a devastating effect on the body. Postviral fatigue is also called chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Fatigue can prevent people from exercising enough and also lead to shallow breathing, which leads to poor blood and oxygen circulation and, in turn, a litany of problems. The muscles become sore; because a reduced supply of oxygen produces lactic acid, causing aches and pains. Poor blood circulation to the brain creates fatigue, poor concentration, poor memory, sleep disturbances, and depression.

The difficulty with this condition is that the body was exhausted before the attack and not only has to fight to fight off the virus but also to regain normal energy afterwards. Therefore, once her niece is able to eat solid food again, it is vital that she restore her energy through good nutrition, massage, and proper exercise.

Diet

* Eat a diet rich in protein, with adequate daily amounts of game, red and white meat, fish and eggs. If you’re a vegetarian, eat eggs, tofu, cottage cheese, and almonds soaked in water at room temperature for 24 hours (so the nutrients are more bioavailable).

* Avoid yeast products (bread, pizza, Marmite, etc.), sugar and sugary foods altogether. The yeast, which feeds on sugar, produces toxic alcohols in the body and these cause additional fatigue.

* Eliminate cheese, mushrooms and vinegar, as they all contain fungal products. The fungus helps yeast and candida to thrive in the body.

* Avoid citrus and acidic fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapples, mangoes, passion fruit, and kiwis. Also avoid spicy and fried foods. Excess stomach acid from these
neutralizes bile and stops it suppressing candida.

* Caffeinated beverages (such as coffee, tea, chocolate, colas) and alcohol should also be avoided. These temporarily increase energy but cause fatigue soon after.

Massage

Massage the body with Lifestyle Oil or two tablespoons of sweet almond oil mixed with three drops of lavender essential oil, focusing on the neck and shoulders, to improve circulation and eliminate pain. Do this twice a week for ten to 15 minutes, for four months or so.

working out
Get 20 minutes of daily exercise like walking, yoga, or swimming.

SUPPLEMENTS

* Take Chawanprash: one tablespoon daily after breakfast for three months. This ancient herbal formulation helps boost energy and the immune system.

* BioEnergy: take one twice a day for three months.

* You should also consider infusions of vitamins and minerals.