What Is Epstein Barr Virus?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) belongs to the herpesvirus family. The virus was discovered in 1964, and it infects humans. EBV targets the B cells, which are a type of white blood cells.
EBV is the main cause of mononucleosis, which most people recover from with no complications. However, the virus can cause more serious diseases in some infected people.
1. Is the Epstein-Barr Virus Common?
The virus is very common. In fact, most people have come in contact with it at some point in their lives and may not even know it. The age groups most commonly infected with EBV are children and young adults. It is most typically found in children, and the symptoms are usually mild and often non-existent.
Infection with the virus is also quite common in teenagers. Teens and adults are more likely to notice symptoms, and it tends to take longer for them to recover fully. However, in most cases there are no long-term consequences of the virus.
2. What Are the Symptoms of Epstein-Barr Virus?
It often takes up to six weeks for symptoms to appear after being infected with the virus. In children, if they have any symptoms at all, they are often similar to a cold or flu. Teens and adults tend to experience common symptoms, such as fatigue, lack of appetite, fever, weak muscles, body aches and swollen lymph nodes.
A sore throat in conjunction with other symptoms is also common in those who have EBV. So are headaches, bloating, chills, sweats and dizziness. A less common symptom is a rash. This tends to occur more often in people who are given amoxicillin to treat the virus.
3. How Is Epstein-Barr Virus Spread?
One of the reasons so many people have been exposed to EBV is that it is extremely contagious. It transmits from one person to another, and saliva is the most common carrier. It is often spread through kissing, although one can also be exposed by using another person’s toothbrush, drinking from the same glass or eating off someone else’s utensils.
Although saliva is the most common way the virus spreads, it can also transmit via other bodily fluids, such as semen and blood. This means someone can also get it through sex, an organ transplant or blood transfusion.
4. How Do Doctors Diagnose the Virus?
Many of the symptoms of the virus mimic other conditions, such as the cold or flu, so doctors typically use other diagnostic methods to determine infection. A common sign is an enlarged spleen, which a doctor can feel through palpation. The doctor will also palpate for swollen lymph nodes and look for white patches on the tonsils.
Because the virus attacks the white blood cells, the doctor may also order blood tests. These check for the level of the B cells in the blood and for antibodies, which would increase in response to the virus.
5. How Is Epstein-Barr Virus Treated?
Viruses do not respond to antibiotics, so there is not any medication that treats EBV directly. However, one may use over-the-counter meds to manage some of the symptoms. Symptoms of the virus tend to go away on their own with time.
Some effective at-home remedies to help with symptoms include drinking adequate amounts of clear fluids and getting lots of rest. Because the virus makes the spleen more susceptible to damage, contact sports should be avoided for a minimum of one month. Other vigorous activities and heavy lifting should also be avoided.
6. What Is the Main Condition the Epstein-Barr Virus Causes?
The virus can cause a variety of conditions, but the most commonly known one is mononucleosis. Most people refer to it as mono or, more informally, the kissing disease. Teenagers and young adults are most susceptible for contracting acute mononucleosis, and females and those with suppressed immune systems are at higher risk.
Symptoms of acute mono include fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and extreme fatigue. Because the virus can be transmitted from someone who does not have symptoms, it is extremely hard to prevent mono. The good news is there are rarely severe complications of the disease.
7. Are There Complications of Mononucleosis?
Fortunately, complications are rare, but there are some situations in which severe symptoms need medical help. A sharp, sudden pain on the left side of the stomach can indicate a ruptured spleen. A lack of urine can indicate severe hydration, and any difficulty swallowing or breathing requires emergency care. Other potential complications are anemia, hepatitis, low platelet count and myocarditis.
The virus can affect the nervous system in rare cases. Some of the neurological conditions include meningitis, encephalitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. A doctor should also be seen if the symptoms do not go away in four to six weeks.
8. Are There Other Diseases the Virus Can Cause?
Mono is not the only disease caused by the virus. In children, diarrhea and ear infections are commonly caused by EBV. Infection with the virus increases the risk of developing some types of cancer, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal cancers, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and stomach cancer. However, cancers related to EBV are rare.
There is also a potential link between the virus and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves’ disease, inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease. However, more research is necessary before this link is known for sure.
9. How Long Until the Symptoms of Epstein-Barr Virus Go Away?
The prognosis for those with the virus is good. If infected people have any symptoms at all, they usually go away on their own. Most people begin to feel better in two to four weeks. However, fatigue often lasts longer, which is why rigorous activity should be limited for up to three months. Complete recovery occurs for most people between one and three months.
Rarely, an infection with EBV can become chronic. In these cases, the person’s immune system is unable to control the infection. This causes symptoms to linger, and several complications, such as lymphomas or organ failure, can occur.
10. Can the Virus Reactivate?
Once someone has become infected with EBV, it becomes latent. This means the virus remains in the body forever, although it is in an inactive state. In some situations, the virus can reactivate. In most of these cases, the infected person does not notice any symptoms. However, people with weakened immune systems may experience symptoms similar to the initial infection.
EBV cannot be transmitted from someone who has the inactive virus. However, if it reactivates, it is possible to spread it to someone else, even if there are no associated symptoms.
