ali-s Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 My 14 year old son has just been diagnosed with Glandular Fever. He is devastated by this news. He is a very good swimmer, training 15 plus hours a week and entering competions at a high level - Scottish National Finals (he came 8th for his backstroke), Scottish School finals and he has just been picked for the North of Scotland District squad. The Doctor advised plenty of rest and a good diet, which he follows anyway. I was wondering if anyone knows of any good "super foods" we could try to get him back to his normal level of fitness, or anything at all we can try. I have heard of young people in my sons position who never regain their fitness levels and have to give up on their sporting careers. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thankyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 (edited) Oh Ali - it's a horrible virus. I had it when I was his age, and I also used to swim for the county. It did mean lots of bed rest for me and no sports for a while, but I made a full recovery and have had no after effects at all. A good diet of green leafy vegetables and garlic, will do him good and lots of citrus fruit - oranges, grapefruits, lemon to kill off the virus. Plently to drink (lemon juice in hot water) at least one full glass every hour to flush his system out. He'll make a good recovery as he is a fit, healthy young man, but he must rest and to let his body use all its energy in fighting off the virus. Have a look on the internet for some other advice. Lots of quick recovery squeezes to him Found this for you Here's a list of other foods: Star Foods for Glandular Fever: apricot, avocado, banana, barley, beansprout, beetroot, blackcurrant, blueberry, broccoli, brown rice, butternut squash, Carrot, duck, fresh tuna, garlic, kale, kiwi fruit, lettuce, mango, orange, papaya, parsley, pumpkin seed, salmon, shiitake mushroom, sunflower seed, sweet potato, tomato. I got this here: food for GF A good idea is to juice some of these so it gets quickly into his system. Edited November 16, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Ali, I'm so sorry to hear that; it seems all the worse when it affects someone so keen on swimming or similar. Please reassure him that every single case is different & the course the recovery takes just seems to vary for no clear reason. So, he won't know until afterwards whether he was someone who recovered fully & quickly or not! Therefore, don't be weighed down by everyone else's stories, (you'll hear loads... ) they won't be relevant & he will need a positive (but realistic) outlook. I'm not sure on the food front, other than the obviou general things. However, the resting is essential, especially now in the early stages. If he feels rough, give in to the symptoms & bedrest. This means lying down peacefully, not just a sit down, legs should be lying. At this stage, if he feels weak, legs to jelly etc, do not just try & carry on! It is not giving up, just giving the body a chance to fight it off. Rest now should really pay off long term. Sadly the rest may not feel refreshing, but it will help. Drink tons of water (not sugar drinks) all day long. At 14,a few weeks convalescingseems like the end of normal life. But proper time off will pay off later. Please don't feel devastated, Ali's son. Try not to dwell on what you may miss out on this term, put all your strength into fighting beastly virus. I'll be cheering you on in 2012 Olympics, & plenty of events meanwhile! Sending tons of care & support, xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Best wishes to your son Ali. I hope he makes a full recovery and is back swimming again very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Sorry I can't offer any advice ... wonder if its the time of year for Glandualr Fever .. a friend of mine has just been off work for a month with it. . Best wishes to the lad .... and hope he recovers soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 Thanks for your replies. And thank you Gina for the link. I am sure he is going to be fine after a good rest and then I will be spending all my free (ha, ha) time driving him to and from the pool everyday. Might even enjoy having a wee rest myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 What I want to know is this ......... WHO HAS HE BEEN KISSING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Best wishes to your son Ali hope he gets better soon...................Not sure it would be cool for him to divulge who he has been kissing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Hope he's soon up and swimming again Ali - nasty virus, I had it in my twenties. Not divulging who i'd been kissing either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Its going around my youngest daughters School. My friend marks sons BOTH have it....how miserable for them My youngest,Cleo,has been off School for the last 2 days with a temperature,shivers, sore throat etc. I jst hope she hasn't caught it too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I also had it, nasty but so much more you can do now. I would give him echinacea for two weeks and that will boost immune system. Rest at the onset makes for a speedier recovery. Keep him positive and talk about life after this. Dream and plan. There's more to him than just sport so you can focus on that too.Good home cooking and also treats to keep him happy' Wish him well and send hugs BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 How funny....I was thinking about this thread while lying in bed last night (as you do!) and I remembered about Echinacea and thought I'd mention it! You can buy it in teabag form too. Bee Propolis is a fantastic immune builder too. I swear by it. And of course the good old ouderless Garlic capsules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I drink Echinacea tea and it is nice once you get used to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Sorry to hear about the GF Ali - it's horrible! I had it in the hot summer of 76 on the heels of a nasty bout of chickenpox. I can only echo what the others have said. Take care and get well soon 'Ali's son'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 How funny....I was thinking about this thread while lying in bed last night (as you do!) and I remembered about Echinacea and thought I'd mention it! You can buy it in teabag form too. Bee Propolis is a fantastic immune builder too. I swear by it. And of course the good old ouderless Garlic capsules. I do the same Gina, wake up in the night and think about things. They usually come in useful. He may benefit from Vit C also (thought of that in daylight!). BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I had it in the hot summer of 76 on the heels of a nasty bout of chickenpox. I can only echo what the others have said. Same year as me Clare - I was nowhere near Clare, honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Something you wanted to tell us girls?? BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 BB, you naughty girl! I remember things in the middle of the night too - I keep a pen and paper beside the bed for those moments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I had it in the hot summer of 76 on the heels of a nasty bout of chickenpox. I can only echo what the others have said. Same year as me Clare - I was nowhere near Clare, honest She doth protest too much me thinks and Clare straight in there!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I had glandular fever when I was 21, and was off work for 3 months, and still felt rubiish for a wee while after that. Although I wasn't exactly at the peak of fitness when I fell ill, I DID excercise regularly. It took a while to get back into things, and took it slowly on my doctors advice, but was back to swimming and step classes regularly about 4 1/2 months after I first fell ill. I'm sure as your sons fitness levels were obviously high before he fell ill, as long as he doesn't push too hard to begin with, he will be fine. It's a horrible illness though, and Chookiehubbie (who also had it the same time as me.......) and I send him our best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunkin Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Ali I am sorry to hear about your son, mine is the same age and my elder daughter has had glandular fever so you both have my sympathies Echinacea is a great immune booster and anti-viral but you need to use a lot of it to get the full benefit - as much as 100/200 drops in a glass of water every couple of hours. Elderfower is another (native) good one. I think you are absolutely right to be looking at food and rest as a strategy to give your son's body the best chance to heal/protect itself. Best wishes to you both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 I started reading Ellen MacArthur's book 'Taking on the World' last night and she had glandular fever when she was a teenager . She seems to have regained her fitness Surely an inspirational story to anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 I wasn't really fit in the days when I had it, I just remember being incredibly tired all the time, much like having a newborn! The only barrier to my fitness these days is increasing age and a passion for homemade cakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 Well... I think he is feeling better. Proper teenage tantrum this evening when I suggested it was time for him to go to bed . Mind you it was only 9pm and no teenager according to him goes to bed at 9pm On the plus side his hair is in better condition positively shinning, normally it is dry with the effects of the chlorine, sometimes with a greenish tinge. On the downside he is still wanting to eat lots of carbs - his swimmers diet. At this rate when he does return to the pool he will probably sink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 OH NO !!!!! My little Cleo who is 10 is now suspected of having Glandular fever too She has been off School for a week,went in yesterday but was sent home early. Just waiting for test results now. Do they keep them off School? Glad yours is feeling better,Ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
