What is the Epstein Barr Virus?

Epstein Barr Virus

Epstein Barr Virus

The Epstein-Barr virus, also called EBV, is an extremely common virus that infects most people at one time or another during their lifetimes. Epstein-Barr virus infection generally causes a minor cold-like or flu-like illness, but, in some cases, there may be no symptoms of infection.

Epstein-Barr virus is very contagious and spreads from person to person through intimate contact with the saliva of a person who has the Epstein-Barr virus. About 95% of all adults have had an Epstein-Barr virus infection at some point in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The EBV is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis. It is also associated with particular forms of cancer, such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and central nervous system lymphomas associated with HIV.

Finally, there is evidence that infection with the virus is associated with a higher risk of certain autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Infection with EBV occurs by the oral transfer of saliva from an infected person.

There are several common mistakes that people make during the treatment and recovery from the Epstein Barr virus that causes mononucleosis or glandular fever.

These mistakes can slow your recovery and in some cases lead to secondary infections like strep throat, pneumonia, sinus infection or chronic fatigue syndrome.

The most common mistake people make is not resting when they are first diagnosed with the Epstein Barr virus. Mononucleosis symptoms can include: fatigue, sore throat, swollen glands, muscle aches, headaches, nausea and sometimes fever. Despite these debilitating symptoms some people try and struggle on and keep going to work, school or college, running a household, rushing around after their family.

Your body specifically needs good quality sleep when recovering from Epstein Barr. When you are asleep your body produces a hormone called growth hormone, which is your body’s repair hormone. Lack of sleep and going to bed too late (after about 11 p.m.) will result in your body making less growth hormone.

To ensure you are asleep by 11 p.m. and you get a good night’s sleep, make sure you are not watching TV, playing computer, drinking caffeine, doing work or rushing around before bedtime. Get into a routine of relaxing before bed. Having a warm bath, reading quietly in bed, meditating or doing yoga are all good ideas you can try.

Not drinking enough water to flush out the Epstein Barr virus and toxins from your body. Your aim should be to be drinking at least 8 glasses of fluid a day. Fluids can include pure water, herb teas, lemon in hot water, broths, soups and freshly squeezed vegetable juices. Your fluids should not include tea, coffee, soft drinks or alcohol which will just dehydrate you and make you feel worse.

In some people with mononucleosis, the throat can get really sore and inflamed which makes it hard to swallow. In these cases a hot lemon and honey tea can help soothe the throat and make drinking easier. Alternatively sucking on ice cubes can numb the pain and get the fluids into your body.

One of the cheapest and simplest ways to treat Epstein Barr is with good healthy foods. How well your immune system functions is directly linked to what you eat. If you eat all the wrong foods like sugar, white flour products, processed foods, alcohol, coffee and excess fats then there is no way you are going to make a good recovery from mononucleosis. Your body needs the right vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fiber and essential fats in order to boost your immune system, reduce fatigue and help your body cope with stress.

The best diet for Epstein Barr treatment is based around good quality protein foods. Every meal should have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Antibiotics are of no use in treating Epstein Barr virus. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria not viruses.

Getting back into strenuous exercise or daily activities too early is a sure fire way to put you back at square one. Many people start to feel a little better, and rush back to their previous sport or work, only to find they relapse and start feeling awful again. Take things slowly. Start off with some gentle walking and monitor how your body responds. Do an hour of housework or shopping and see how you feel. Perhaps go back to work or college for half a day and see how you cope. Build up slowly over a few weeks taking time to rest your body, eat well and drink plenty of water.

The Epstein Barr virus is a latent virus, so once you’ve had it, it can reappear if you overstress your body or do too much.

Epstein-Barr Virus (Infectious Disease and Therapy)
publisher: Informa Healthcare, published: 2006-03-08
ASIN: 0824754255
EAN: 9780824754259
sales rank: 1952509
price: $60.00 (new), $89.99 (used)

Filling a gap in the literature, this guide analyzes EBV infection and all of its associated disorders including infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s disease. Opening with a historical introduction, the reference progresses from molecular virology, epidemiology, immunology, and pathology to clinical presentation, diagnosis, disease detection, patient management, and vaccine development.

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Epstein Barr Health Byte
Epstein Barr is a virus in the herpes family that can remain asymptomatic but may cause infectious mononucleosis (mono). Learn more about Epstein Barr including treatments and symptoms in this medical video.