Overview

Please see conventional, complimentary and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complimentary and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:

Etiology

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a type of Herpesvirus, and is often transmitted via saliva (hence it is sometime called the "kissing disease."). It is also called Glandular Fever or Mono (mononucleosis), or Human Herpes Virus 4.

EBV is a lipid-coated DNA virus which can integrate into host cell DNA and become latent for years before reactivating.

EBV is usually present in B cells, where it can result in lytic infection, with production of virus particles, or a latent infection in which infected B-cells are immortalized.

EBV can also be found in T-cells or NK-cells. [Cohen2009].

EBV can also be found in endothelial cells [Gershburg2005].

EBV can also be found in bone marrow cells [Furuya2013].

Diagnosis

Symptoms of the Epstein-Barr Virus:

  • Fatigue,
  • Fever,
  • Malaise,
  • Sore throat,
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck,
  • Enlarged spleen,
  • Enlarged liver,
  • Rash,
  • Headache,
  • Thrombocytopenia,
  • Anemia,
  • Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites,
  • Hemophagocytic syndrome,
  • Coronary artery aneurysms,
  • Calcification of basal ganglia,
  • Oral ulcers, lymphoma,
  • Interstitial pneumonia,
  • Central nervous system diseases.

References: Go to CDC: About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).CDC: About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

[Cohen2009]

Go to CDC: TestingCDC: Testing

Treatment

Antiviral medications that inhibit EBV replication in the lab are not effective against EBV in humans. One theory why EBV survives drug treatment is that oral antiviral medications are at too low levels to eliminate the EBV that are shed in saliva [Gershburg2005].

  • Optimize nutritional status: Vitamin A, B12, D; Take supplements.
  • Optimize diet (various authors suggest): minimize simple carbs including fruits, limit grains (suppress the immune system), Gluten Free.
  • Possible herbal treatments (various authors suggest): Ginger/Turmeric/curcumin (anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor), Lycopene antioxidant), Elderberry (anti-viral), Garlic (anti-viral), Cat's Claw (anti-viral), Licorice Root (anti-viral), Astragalus, Bentonite clay, Echinacea, Olive leaf extract, Colloidal silver, Lemon, Cinnamon, Sage, Turmeric (anti-tumor), Passionflower (anti-tumor), Galangal (anti-tumor), Artemisia lactiflora (anti-tumor),
  • Treat excess Candida: can cause leaky gut syndrome which causes weakened immune system.
  • Clean out intestinal parasites
  • Avoid nuts, especially peanuts, because they are hard for the body to digest and do not do the immune system any favors.
  • Pay attention to your lifestyle factors by making sure you are getting plenty of sleep, rest and relaxation.
  • EBV has the ability to prevent cell death. However, Curcumin inhibited B-cell immortalization in EBV infected cells [Ranjan1998].

Sequelae

See Go to CDCCDC; [Cohen2009]

EBV has been linked to cancer formation in Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma [Ascherio2010].

EBV is hypothesized to be a trigger for multiple sclerosis [Ascherio2010].

Oral hairy leucoplakia [Gershburg2005].

Pathophysiology

Herpesviruses, including Epstein-Barr virus and Cytomegalovirus, occur at high copy counts in aggressive periodontitis, and may interact synergistically to benefit periodontopathic bacteria by impairing local host defenses; The bacteria, in turn, may augment the virulence of the Herpesviruses [Slots2011].

Hypotheses

Liposomal formulation of antiviral herbs may be able to deliver effective doses to treat EBV.

References