The etiology of the illness described could be due to one of several different viruses. The most common virus, influenza, presents itself with symptoms such as pyrexia (fever), chills and shivering, fatigue and weakness, headache, and aching muscles and joints (Osborn 849). It is therefore highly likely that the patient has indeed contracted influenza, especially so considering that this virus is most often contracted between October and April (and the student is presently at university) (Wilschut et al. 52).
If the virus described is not influenza, it is possible that another virus may be to blame. Albeit much less common, infectious mononucleosis (mono) caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, can cause the patient to experience headache, fatigue, swollen glands, aching joints, and extreme fatigue. EBV is transmitted via saliva or other bodily fluids and has an incubation period of four to seven days. This virus is present in as many as 95% of adults in the United States and causes active infectious mononucleosis 35% to 69% of the time if the patient is infected in adolescence or young adulthood (Hill 4).
Since the active infection is most often found in the immunocompromised, it may be worthy to note that since the individual is currently at university; stress may have been the culprit. Our bodies secrete cortisol, a glucocorticoid, during periods of stress; and all glucocorticoids causes some immune suppression; making it more likely that a latent EBV infection (possibly even passed to the child during breast feeding) may flourish into an active state.
A virus known as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Human Herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5) is transmitted through bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, or breast milk. Patients inflicted with active CMV experience symptoms similar to those infected with infectious mononucleosis. Symptoms may be numerous and range from aching joints, headache, fatigue, and high temperature, to visual disturbances, muscle weakness, and chills (Tan and Salata 814-815).
Works Cited
Page Osborn, Lucy M. Pediatrics. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2005. Print. Wilschut, Jan C. , McElhaney, Janet E. , et al. Influenza. China: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2006. Print. Hill, John W. Natural Treatments for Genital Herpes, Cold Sores and Shingles. Yelm: Clear Springs Press, 2008. Print. Tan, James S. , and Salata, Robert A. Infectious Diseases. ACP Press, 2008. Print.