Also known as infectious mononucleosis, this is caused by the Epstein Barr virus. It is common in the 10-25 year old age group and is generally transmitted through saliva, hence it is also known as the ‘kissing disease’. Symptoms include exhaustion, fever, sore throat, muscular aches and pains and swollen lymph glands, particularly in the neck.

Treatment - Practical Advice

Rest is very important in treating this condition. You may feel tired for 2 or 3 months after recovery, so take it easy to prevent a relapse. Alcohol and smoking should be avoided.

Dietary

A wholefood diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is vital to build up resistance. If you cannot eat easily, take freshly squeezed fruit juices and vegetable soups. Take 500 mg of vitamin C 3 times daily. Take a 50 mg vitamin B complex supplement 3 times daily. To boost immunity after an attack, eat a wholefood diet rich in fruit and vegetables, with a high intake of foods rich in the following nutrients:

Vitamin A, found in liver, kidney, egg yolk, low fat dairy products, cod liver oil. Beta-carotene, found in dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits. Vitamin E, found in vegetables oils.seeds, wheatgerm and nuts. Vitamin C, found in vegetables and fruit. The B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6, found in lean meat, wheatgerm, brewer’s yeast, fish, soya beans, peas, peanuts. Copper, iron, zinc, selenium, found in lean meats, poultry, fish, wholewheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal.

Herbal

Tincture of myrrh helps fight infection. Take 1-4 ml of the tincture in a cup of warm water 3 times daily.

Homeopathy

Three times daily for up to 7 days. Repeat if needed:

Sleepy and stupefied, dark mottled rash, purplish throat with ulcers on the tonsils: Ailanthus 6c. Profuse offensive sweats, painfully swollen neck glands, exhausted and shaky: Mercurius solubilis 6c. Sensation of a hot ball in the throat with pain darting into the ears on swallowing, generalized aching: Phytolacca 6c. In addition there are a number of remedies which are extremely helpful when the patient experiences a permanent impairment in their level of health or general energy after recovering from the acute phase. Consult a professional homeopath.

Chinese Medicine

Chinese doctors treat this condition by eliminating heat in the blood, liver and stomach. Red peony, dyers’ woad leaf, honeysuckle, forsythia fruit, chrysanthemum flowers and dandelions would be prescribed. Individual treatment is recommended.

Orthodox

Doctors recommend rest and plenty of warm drinks. Most people recover after 4-6 weeks without medication.