The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpes virus. It’s the virus that causes mononucleosis.
In this post I’ll discuss the initial infection (mononucleosis), symptoms of mononuclosis and chronic EBV, and how EBV uses your own immune cells to sustain itself and replicate.
What Does EBV Feel Like?
Nearly all of us have been exposed to this virus at some point in our lives. Usually we’re exposed to it when we’re children or adolescents. If your immune system is healthy, then you probably didn’t even realize you had it. Many people don’t have any symptoms when they get exposed to it. However, some people do and when that happens it’s called mononucleosis (IM) or “mono.”
We get infected through saliva and the virus enters through the nose, mouth, throat and lymphatic cells including our tonsils. It can cause tonsillitis and may be a reason for chronic tonsillitis where the tonsils are removed.
Symptoms of Initial Infection/IM Can Be:
Sore throat
Pharyngitis (inflamed throat)
Lymph node enlargement in the neck
Fever
Muscle pain and body aches that feel like the flu
Vomiting
Extreme fatigue that can make you bedridden
Headache
Decreased appetite
Abdominal pain due to enlarged liver or spleen or swollen lymph nodes in the abdomen
More Serious Symptoms of Initial Infection/IM Can Be:
Ruptured spleen
Trouble breathing due to throat swelling
Jaundice
Pancreatitis
Rash
Seizure
Encephalitis
Hepatitis (usually temporary and resolves on its own)
When IM takes a long time to go away, it can become chronic EBV.
Symptoms of Chronic EBV Can Include:
Weakness
Aching legs
Fever (low grade and it comes and goes)
Depression
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle pain
Swollen lymph nodes
How Does The Virus Infect Our Immune System?
EBV’s main target is an immune cell called the B cell. EBV has proteins that allow it to attach to the B cells and infuse its own genetic material. It uses your B cell’s “machinery” to make more viral material and replicate.
Usually, our immune cells will destroy themselves when they get infected or damaged, but EBV is able to override this. EBV can stop the infected cells from sending out “SOS” signals to other immune cells like T cells. It also stops antiviral T cells from responding to these infected B cells. So virally infected B cells are able to stay in the circulation and continue to spread the infection.
EBV “Hides” In Between Reactivations
EBV persists in your B cells for your lifetime in a state where it “hides” or stays dormant. Even though it’s dormant, there are still things happening behind the scenes. The virus is still using the B cells to replicate parts of itself that keep the B cell under control. Over time, it may also find other organs to hide out in like the thyroid. When this happens, you can develop an autoimmune hypothyroid condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Reactivation can happen due to many factors like stress, hormonal changes (puberty, menopause, pregnancy), or other viral infections. At this stage, the B cells burst and release the viral materials that can infect other cells and create an active infection.
If you liked this post and found it helpful I'd love to know! Share this post with anyone who might like to read it!
If you’d like to learn more about this topic or get my free EBV guide follow me on Instagram.
If you'd like to book a free 30 minute Meet and Greet call you can schedule online.
In health,
Dr. Jamie
Resources
Kines, K. (2018). The Epstein-Barr virus solution: The hidden undiagnosed epidemic of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disease - how to heal and regain your life. Holistic Nutrition Press
This website is not intended for the purpose of providing medical advice. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
#naturopathic #naturopathicdoctor #naturopathicmedicine #holistic #functionalmedicine #naturalhealthconsultant #holisticdoctor #alternativemedicine #homeopath #homeopathic #naturopath #wholistic #naturaldoctor #naturalmedicine
Comments