Hiya Gorgeous,
A few years ago, I went through a long bout of fatigue. And, I’m talkin’ bone-tired, 24/7 kind-of-fatigue. During that time, I did a lot of exploring “under the hood” with my Integrative, M.D. One possibility we looked into was the Epstein-Barr virus. Ever since, I’ve been wanting to talk with you about this incredibly common infection. Well, today’s that day.
What is Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is part of the herpes virus family. Other infections in this family include cold sores, herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. Infectious Mononucleosis (aka mono or the “Kissing Disease”) is probably the most commonly-known way EBV manifests itself.
Infectious Mononucleosis, also referred to as “Glandular Fever” manifests originally with these symptoms:
- Swollen glands
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever
- Headache/body aches
- Sore throat
- Rash
- Enlarged liver and spleen
The symptoms of Epstein Barr Virus are usually mild. Because EBV symptoms overlap with other illnesses (sore throat, fever, rashes, etc.), children are commonly misdiagnosed with strep throat or another virus.
And, up to 95% of the population is infected with the Epstein-Barr Virus. The majority of these people are going through life as unknowing carriers. Typically, carriers are symptomless (the virus just hangs around—dormant).
EBV Becomes a Problem When it Reactivates and Attacks the Immune System
The problem is if the virus reactivates due to a stressed immune system (we’ll talk about that in a moment!), it’s a real drag. You’re exhausted, achy, and feel under the weather—all the time. Many people can be misdiagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Are you experiencing fatigue that no amount of sleep, nourishing food, exercise, or caffeine can shake? Do you often come down with persistent “flu-like” symptoms? If this is the case and you haven’t been able to get to the root of the issue, you may want to look into EBV with your doctor.
Understanding the Epstein-Bar Virus from the Lens of a Professional
To help us understand EBV, I’ve turned to our fabulous friend, Doctor Aviva Romm. Aviva is a Yale-trained M.D. and Board Certified family physician, midwife, and herbalist who is focused on helping women not only heal their bodies and minds but transform their lives. She covers the Epstein-Barr virus in her popular book, The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution.
Now, let’s dig into my conversation with Aviva…
How is the EBV Virus Transmitted and How Prevalent is it?
EBV is transmitted through intimate contact, which includes “sharing” saliva (this can happen through drinking out of the same cups, kissing, or passing joints or cigarettes). It’s highly prevalent. As you read above, about ninety-five percent of people worldwide have been infected with the virus.
Other modes of transmission can include:
- Blood transfusion (blood is not tested for the Epstein-Barr Virus)
- An infant can contract the initial infection if the mother has the virus
- Food contaminated when someone is cut
- Bodily fluids through sexual contact
You can even be exposed to Epstein-Barr from coming into contact with toys that have been drooled on by an infant that has the virus.
Who is Most Likely to be Infected by EBV and How is it Diagnosed?
Anyone can become infected by the Epstein-Barr Virus. Symptomatic infections with mono seem to be most common in the late teenage years and early 20s. Most of us have been exposed and are asymptomatic carriers in our adult lives.
Women going through major life changes, including the death of a loved one, a major move, a job change, or menopause, for example, may be particularly susceptible to reactivation of the virus, and therefore a symptomatic infection.
To diagnose, your healthcare practitioner can do a simple blood test called a “Complete EBV Acute Panel,” which includes: Viral capsid antigen (VCA)-IgM, VCA-IgG, D early antigen (EA-D), and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA). They can also run a chronic infection panel.
What is EBV Reactivation and What are its Symptoms?
EBV reactivation can persist for months, much like mono can, though it’s usually significantly milder. Reactivation of the virus often happens in times of prolonged stress. Symptoms typically include chronic fatigue, aching muscles and joints, swollen lymph nodes, and other persistent flu-like symptoms. It can also cause malaise and even depression. A physical exam may find a swollen liver and spleen, and liver function tests may be abnormal.
What is Chronic EBV Infection and What are the Signs and Symptoms?
While chronic Epstein-Barr is considered rare, the symptoms are similar to those dealing with reactivation and may be mild to severe. Liver and spleen abnormalities may not be observable or found in this case. Chronic infections occur when the infection remains persistent rather than going dormant, as it should when the immune system is able to keep it under wraps and you’d remain symptom-free.
There are a variety of chronic symptoms, some of which are:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Migraines
- Consistent fatigue
- Dizziness/Blurred vision
- Restless sleep
- Numbness of the hands and feet
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
There are many more seemingly unrelated symptoms associated with Epstein-Barr.
Is EBV Connected to Other Chronic Infections, like Cancer or Autoimmune Disease?
EBV has been associated with numerous autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Lyme Disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and is a trigger for multiple sclerosis (MS). EBV is also associated with certain lymphomas (types of cancer affecting B-cells of the immune system).
Why Does EBV Cause Other Infections?
There are a few hypotheses as to why EBV causes other autoimmune conditions:
Bystander Activation
Also known as the “Bystander Effect,” this happens when the immune system attacks and destroys healthy cells alongside the virus. The virus can also lead to the activation of immune cells that attack the body itself.
Molecular Mimicry
Molecular mimicry occurs when your immune system attacks the virus. Some of your tissues may mimic the molecular structure of the virus, which can confuse the immune system, leading it to attack healthy tissue.
Dysregulation in the Immune System
If your body is constantly combating viral infections, it can activate the adrenal glands and lead to adrenal fatigue. In turn, this can lead to immune dysfunction.
Autoimmune conditions are on the rise and it appears that EBV can be linked to decreased immune function.
What about Lysine
Here is what I want someone to study: the link between allergies and the reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus. I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS in 2015, and each year after that, I experience relapses or pseudo-relapses during the seasonal transition from summer to fall. Right now, I am experiencing double vision and numbness in my legs, and it began as soon as the leaves fell. When I go to my MS doctor, she’s going to tell me that I have to take a course of corticosteroids, even though the steroids never make me feel better. In fact, steroids make me feel worse. I have read that Epstein-Barr does not respond to steroids, so I have to ask: why, when virtually everyone who has MS also has Epstein-Barr, are steroids the typical treatment for relapses? I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel. I was tested for Lyme Disease (negative) simply because I didn’t feel that the MS treatment was helping me and I wondered if I’d been misdiagnosed. Now that I’ve been educated about Epstein-Barr, I have to wonder why the neurologist didn’t test me for this from the getgo.
As a child, I took allergy shots — I am allergic to a long list of things… At some point before my teenage years, I was exposed to Epstein-Barr, and I firmly believe that this virus is activated anytime I experience seasonal allergies. But does my neurologist want to hear about this? No. She just wants me to take my Copaxone (which also doesn’t seem to do any good) and then treat relapses with steroids which I do not intend to take this time around because the recovery time for me is not worth it. It always takes two courses of steroids, sometimes three. Why should I put my body through that when the research says that Epstein-Barr isn’t affected by steroids?
Is there ANY neurologist out there who has a different procedure for treating MS that takes into consideration the Epstein-Barr virus and its reactivation? I don’t care how far I have to drive or fly — I want to meet them.
I’m looking forward to hearing any responses to your post!
I am not a doctor, but I’d say if it’s coinciding with allergies, then you have gut healing to do! Just my 2 cents!
Thank you, Carlita. I’ve been fasting, hoping to stabilize my gut. I think you’re right about that! The only time I feel good is when I’m fasting. Hopefully there will be some answers soon…
I have reactivated EBV, my first infection that I remember getting was when I was 25 and I never fully recovered, the fevers and night sweats continued… I was just diagnosed with the reactivated EBV and it triggered Lupus my vca igg is 473 and my nuclear antigen igg is 556 early antigen igg was 11.4 (actively replicating)… I’m seeing a functional medicine dr and am on a ton of stuff to fight this but I’m not feeling better and am almost 2 months in with treatment.. I need to get my life back.. I have 2 year old and a farm to take care of..
Hi Jessica, this is Jennifer from Team Crazy Sexy and we’re so happy you’re working with a doc to fight this. Sometimes these things can take time, be patient and keep working with a professional you trust. Here’s a little blog to help you when a little self-care could help (6 Self-Care Tips for the Gentle Soul). Also, I’d love to recommend both tapping which is so easy, free, and helpful (What Is Tapping: Emotional Freedom Technique) and Kris’s free Pep Talk meditation (great page of freebies, 3rd item down) which is fantastic. All can help you feel better while you work with your doc. We are sending you so much love and healing energy. You’ve got this!
I was left without a diagnosis for months and months and only after foolishly getting a nasal surgery I realized the flu feeling/pressure between my eyes and sore throat was from EBV. I am making slow progress with my diet and supplements but since the surgery I have been getting burning/tingling mostly on my face but also my arms as well. Does anyone know if the immune system can eventually deactivate a virus that has entered the peripheral nerves of the body? The burning is so crappy on top of the crap feeling between my eyes. I’m going to see some doctors for this new symptom but would love to get some encouragement. 🙁 thanks for this blog I really appreciate all the support I can get. It’s really frustrating knowing I was in the process of healing and took a huge step back getting a harmful and unnecessary surgery because I was desperate and uninformed.
Hi Kris, I was reading your top 4 causes for Hashimoto’s Disease. I had EBV back in the 1970. I believe that it might be reacted. I notice that the viral infection has test that you run. My question is do you run these test plus the full panel on the thyroid test if people are out of state. The doctors here do not run test like these. I have suggested them and they laugh and prescribe meds for something they did not test for. Please email me if you do or not. I would like to have them ran.
Hi Delores, this is Jennifer from Team Crazy Sexy. That’s an excellent question that you’d need to ask Dr. Aviva Romm about. I’m sorry I can’t answer it but Kris hasn’t done as deep a dive as Dr. Romm. The whole team is sending you lots of love and healing energy. Have a beautiful rest of the day.
Hi
Thank you for your posting re EBV.
I am suffering from ebv for at least 4 months. I would like to know how many drops of licorice root tincture to mix in my tea. You noted mg for pill form only.
My lemon balm says 1 dropper full on bottle. Maybe that is for maintenance of some kind. Glad to read your recommendation is much higher an more often. Makes more sense w regard to ebv.
May I ask your recommendation for amount of drops for Zinc an Cats Claw?
Thank you for your time.
Cindy Lee