What is Epstein – Barr Virus?
Epstein – Barr virus is a very common virus. It is from the herpes family of viruses, and is known as human herpes virus 4. It is found all over the world and most people get infected with EBV at some point in their lives. Once infected with Epstein – Barr virus, you have it in your body for good. It’s DNA stays in your cells, most commonly affecting B cells, but can also infect other immune cells as well.
You may have heard of it more commonly as the viruses that causes mononucleosis, mono, or the kissing disease. It is primarily spread through saliva and bodily fluids.
What symptoms does Epstein – Barr virus cause?
When you are first infected.
Typically when you are first infected with Epstein – Barr virus the symptoms include:
- fatigue
- fever
- inflamed throat
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- enlarged spleen
- swollen liver
- rash
Usually these symptoms only last for a little bit ( 2 – 4 ) weeks and then you feel better. The virus is considered self – limiting and is sometimes mild to where you may not have known you had it or you just thought it was a cold or the flu. Typically doctors just recommend rest and fluids during this time.
What about Reactivation?
Remember how I said that EBV stays in the body for good? Well, turns out it can turn back on and make you sick again. This is termed going back into a lytic state.
Reactivation has become more concerning as research continues to come out about EBV’s involvement in cancers and autoimmune conditions.
Typical reactivation symptoms.
In my clinical experience I have seen that reactivation symptoms are usually more severe and broader than acute infection and may include:
- Flu – like symptoms
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Brain fog
- Insomnia
- Hormone problems
- Digestion problems
- Neuralgias
- Vagus nerve dysfunction
- Hepatomegaly
- EMF sensitivity
Testing
When it comes to getting tested for EBV, it is actually really simple. You can do a good old fashioned blood draw with your doctor and insurance may or may not cover it.
The key is to order a complete panel! If you communicate your symptoms with your doctor and ask for a complete panel they should listen and order it for you. If not there are also private labs available.
Complete panel
- EBV VCA IgM: This is positive during acute infection and sometimes during reactivation. It is showing your body’s first response to the viral capsid antigen. This is your body’s first immune response to Epstein – Barr virus.
- EBV VCA IgG: This is positive after you have been infected. It can stay positive even after initial infection. Often times it is very elevated during reactivation.
- EBV EBNA IgG: This may be positive after you have been infected. It is showing you developed antibodies to the nuclear antigen of the virus. Similar to EBV VCA IgG, it may stay positive after initial infection and often times shows extreme elevation during reactivation.
- EBV EA – D: This is looking at the early antigen. This is positive during reactivation.
As you can see, when a complete panel is run it gives a picture of how your immune system is responding to Epstein – Barr virus and that paired with a thorough history and your symptoms helps your doctor understand if you are having a first time infection, reactivation, or if you are experiencing chronic reactivation.
P.S. Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you now:
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3. Check out my podcasts where I talk all about Epstein – Barr virus Here.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about-ebv.html
Kerr JR. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors. J Clin Pathol. 2019 Oct;72(10):651-658. doi: 10.1136/jclinpath-2019-205822. Epub 2019 Jul 17. PMID: 31315893.
