Thedoc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

How do I know if I have mononucleosis?

Mononucleosis, also known as glandular fever, is caused by the Epstein-barr virus. It can be passed from person to person by close contact, but you can also get it from things like sharing a cup.

It can take a few weeks to show symptoms after you get infected, and it is most common in young adults and teenagers, and you do not usually get infected with it again once you have had it.

The classic presentation of mononucleosis is when someone appears to have tonsillitis but does not respond to antibiotics. Your throat can become so sore that it is even painful to swallow saliva.

Other symptoms are swollen glands, particularly around the neck, exhaustion, and sometimes puffiness around the eyes. You can also get an enlarged spleen, and if so, it is important you do not do contact sports like rugby for eight weeks.

It usually lasts for around a week, though people can feel tired even once they have recovered, but this usually gets better with time. There is no formal treatment – drink lots of water and try to avoid alcohol.

What is a sinus infection?

It is an inflammation of the sinuses, the air spaces between the facial bones and skull. You are have several, but the most common one to get infected is the maxillary sinus which is in the cheekbones.

Acute sinusitis is the most common, and it lasts only a few days, but can stretch on to about two to three weeks. You will usually experience pain and perhaps some dirty discharge from your nose.

Antibiotics are only recommended if symptoms persist for longer than 10 days and you have not responded to other treatments.

I sprained my ankle and it has been swollen for a few weeks now. When is it time to see a doctor?

It is common for a sprained ankle to swell up for up to four to six weeks. If it is persisting for longer than three months, you should contact your GP.

If you are unable to bear weight, or there is severe swelling, contact your doctor. For most people, using ice to control the swelling, compression, elevation and rest is effective enough treatment.

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