glandular fever (glan-dew-ler) n. an infectious disease, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, that affects the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin; it mainly affects adolescents and young adults. Symptoms include swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes, fever, headache, a sore throat, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Glandular fever is diagnosed by the presence of large numbers of monocytes in the blood. Medical name: infectious mononucleosis.

glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) Acute disease, usually of young people, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Glandular fever produces an increased number of white cells (monocytes) in the blood. Symptoms include fever, painful enlargement of the lymph nodes, and pronounced lassitude.

glan·du·lar fe·ver • another term for infectious mononucleosis.