Eh, again? I feel really bad for this man, I know that it sort of stays with you forever, but this is semi-ridiculous. See thinks makes me realize how lucky Federer is, or perhaps, how luck the poor fellow is not. Anyway, Ancic is a good player, I hope he feels better, I was looking foward to watching him at the Davis Cup since he would have been playing my country but his health is far more important.

I feel bad for Mario too. A lot of people jeered at Roger for playing while ill but GF is no joke; I marvel that he was out on the court at all last year.

Get well soon, Mario.

And until you do, please STAY AWAY FROM ROGER AND RAFA!!!

Is grandular fever contagious?

yeah....it is contagious torres...it is a virus that will stay in your system forever.....(tho' lie dormant....)...some info for you below......

Glandular fever is a viral infection associated with a high fever.

It's also known as infectious mononucleosis or kissing disease (long ago it was realised that the infection was passed on through saliva - for example, by kissing).

Glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. This can attack only two types of cell in the body: those in the salivary glands and white blood cells known as B lymphocytes (B-cells).

Infection begins in the salivary glands, which release large amounts of the virus into the saliva. The infection spreads to the B lymphocytes, causing them to multiply, and causing the lymph glands to swell and become painful.

Once infected, the virus remains dormant in the body's cells for the rest of a person's life.

The incubation period is between 33-49 days. Symptoms include:

high fever - above 39°C (102.2°F)
sore throat (this can be severe and mistaken for tonsillitis)
tiredness and lack of energy
loss of appetite
weight loss
swollen tender glands (in the neck and around the body)
headache
muscle pains
occasionally a fine red rash
sometimes an enlarged, tender spleen

The diagnosis may be clear from the symptoms, but it can be confirmed by a blood test.

Because glandular fever is a viral infection, there's no specific treatment. Pain relief and fever treatments (including paracetamol or ibuprofen), fluids and rest are important to help overcome the infection. Antibiotics aren't needed and can trigger a rash in this condition.

A vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus is under development. The infection is most contagious during the feverish stage, when contact with others should be avoided.
Recovery may take a week or two. In a small proportion of cases, the tiredness may be prolonged over several weeks, when it may be aggravated by exertion. (Rest is important in glandular fever and it's usually recommended that Those affected don't take part in strenuous sports for a month after the infection.)


This is bad news for Ancic.....

If Nadal catches it they'll stop him from biting his trophies for sure :)

ouch....

such a nice guy, such a fine player...It really is a shame! Hope he gets better soon !!

In that case, it's ok for Mario to be around Fed and Rafa just as long as he doesnt kiss them?

torres...makes sense... but also have you noticed that a lot of the tennis players now are spitting onto the court/grass....camera has picked that up...so i guess if its passed on through saliva...then spitting is included? ancic has been around all the players for the whole of this year....don't even wanna think about it to be honest....just wish him a quick recovery....

Maaaalty! Great job posting up basics on glandular fever as presents from EBV.

Torres, hi there. Do u have wimbies for Wimby? Im pleasantly content now, laid back, smiling, ahhh RG triumph and aaalll that...

the virus is also naso-pharangeal, fancy for sputum, mucous, cough, and sneeze. Soo, manhugs only, no kissing!

Mario has, let's say, a rather unusual case of mono or some complications and in any case, it's scary and sorry. I hope he completely recovers. Best Wishes to Mario.

I'm not a doctor, and I don't know Mario's particular case, but I've had mono more than once. The virus does lie dormant in one's body after the first, initial infection, and in most people, it never activates again. In some, however, too much stress, not enough sleep, and otherwise pushing oneself too hard will activate the virus again and again.

There could be some immune system compromise or mutation of the virus that leads to recurrent infections. (Let's not forget Justine Henin, who had the cytomegalovirus, which also causes infectious mononucleiosis, like EBV does - and in fact, it could be Mario has the cytomegalovirus, which is more chronic and severe in most cases, than is EBV).

One reason why mono can be dangerous, and why people cannot participate in sports during an infection with it, is because the virus infiltrates the spleen. The spleen enlarges, and thus the spleen can easily rupture, causing serious health risk.

More than 90% of adults have the mono antibody in their blood, and most don't even know they've had the infection. So, for most people, it's not a life-altering illness. Sadly, it seems Mario got the short end of the mono stick. I wish him the best and hope he recovers fully very soon.