A 16-year-old presents with extreme fatigue, swollen glands, a high temperature and a sore throat. The tongue, uvula and epiglottis appear normal. Which condition is most likely based on these symptoms?

A 16-year-old presents with extreme fatigue, swollen glands, a high temperature and a sore throat. The tongue, uvula and epiglottis appear normal. Which condition is most likely based on these symptoms?

• A. Glandular fever.
• B. Streptococcus group A infection.
• C. Viral pharyngitis.
• D. Haemophilus influenzae infection.

Answer: (A)

Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) fits best because teenagers with this pattern often have prolonged fatigue, fever, and noticeable cervical lymphadenopathy along with a sore throat. The absence of signs involving the airway—tongue, uvula, and epiglottis appearing normal—argues against conditions like epiglottitis or other airway emergencies. A Streptococcus A throat infection can cause fever and sore throat but is typically more acute and focuses on focal throat findings, sometimes with tonsillar exudates and less prominent fatigue. Viral pharyngitis often presents with cough or other upper respiratory symptoms and less marked lymph node swelling.

Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) fits best because teenagers with this pattern often have prolonged fatigue, fever, and noticeable cervical lymphadenopathy along with a sore throat. The absence of signs involving the airway—tongue, uvula, and epiglottis appearing normal—argues against conditions like epiglottitis or other airway emergencies. A Streptococcus A throat infection can cause fever and sore throat but is typically more acute and focuses on focal throat findings, sometimes with tonsillar exudates and less prominent fatigue. Viral pharyngitis often presents with cough or other upper respiratory symptoms and less marked lymph node swelling.