What Is the Epstein Barr Virus?

The Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is in the herpes family of viruses and it ultimately infects 95 percent of adults in the United States by the time they reach 35 to 40 years old. As soon as infacts are born, they are susceptible to EBV. EBV can cause infectious mononucleosis and plays a role in two rare types of cancer - nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma.

The virus is named after the two scientists who discovered it back in the 1960s. The incubation period for children is 7 to 14 days and for adults it can be up to 30 to 50 days. EBV occurs most frequently to people between 10 and 35 years old. When the virus last for more than six months, it frequently called chronic EBV infection and may also be the cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Much more research needs to be done to explore this connection.

Mono spreads by contact with mouth moisture of the infected person through kissing (hence the name the "kissing disease", sharing dishes or toothbrushes or dirty utensils. EBV develops slowly and may even seem like a simple cold or a flu. Symptoms include a sore throat for two or more weeks, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and/or groin, discomfort and a persistent fever. Sufferers can reach a fever of up to 105 degrees (I have been there) with a rash, eye pain, discomfort toward bright light and even a resulting swollen spleen or liver infection.

Although the symptoms will usually subside in one or two months, the virus remains dormant in the throat and blood cells forever and can reactivate at any time. EBV also leaves an ongoing dormant infection in some of the immune system cells in the body.

To diagnose EBV, laboratory tests are taken to measure white blood cells and the concentration of EBV antibodies.

Antibiotics are usually prescribed to alleviate the symptoms but there is no cure for EBV and it can strike at any time and compromise your immune system for the rest of your life. Despite the fact there is no cure and the disease can last for months, there is also no recourse because this illness is not recognized by Social Security as a disability.

Now that we have a brief background on what EBV is about, future blogs will present my experience, updated research and as much information as I can garner about this serious, potentially deadline virus.

Epstein Barr - A Virus With No Cure

I was diagnosed a little over two years ago with Epstein Barr virus. Immediately prior and subsquent to this diagnosis, I suffered from ulcers, ongoing headaches, a continued sore throat, congestion, constant fatigue, fainting spells, thyroid fluctuations, heart problems and cellulitis. Having Epstein Barr has completely changed my life and the feelings of frustration and depression can get overwhelming.

Worse yet, I have found little information about this virus either online or through my medical practitioners. Sufferers seems to wind up with ongoing health problems that lead to chronic fatigue syndrome, lymphoma and other ailments. There are no support group, research centers or help centers that I can find and I hope to raise awareness, unite other sufferers and provide updated information about Epstein Barr through this blog.

Please feel free to comment and connect if you have Epstein Barr and any useful information to help other sufferers. Everyday I will post additional information about the virus and updated facts and I welcome your input.