By Dr. Harry Moore
Did you know? 9 out of 10 adults carry antibodies for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – a whopping 95% of the population. EBV infections are very common and most likely you’ve already contracted the virus without even knowing it.
And while EBV usually remains dormant in the body, it can be reactivated causing chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases.
What is EBV?
Epstein-Barr virus is a member of the herpes virus family and is caught in early childhood or during the teenage years as mononucleosis, or mono – the infection that causes extreme fatigue, fever, inflamed throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and enlarged spleen.
And unlike other viruses eliminated by the immune system, EBV stays in the body and “hides out” in the B cells (a type of white blood cell). The virus remains largely dormant unless triggered and a reactivation of the virus can occur.
How does it get reactivated and what are the symptoms?
EBV can become reactivated with unmanaged physical and emotional stress, weakened immunity, another infection that stresses the immune system, specific toxins or leaky gut syndrome. When reactivated, symptoms such as sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever, excessive fatigue, fibromyalgia, enlarged spleen, and rash can appear.
Reactivation can also cause autoimmune diseases such as Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Psoriasis, Celiac Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and more.
Can it be treated and how?
While there are limited treatments for EBV, its critical to seek care through a functional or integrative medicine physician who will treat the body as a whole-integrated system. Some treatments by include:
- Boosting the immune system
- Resolving leaky gut syndrome
- Decreasing toxicity levels in the body
- Addressing nutritional deficiencies
- Healing other infections
- SOT Therapy – Directly attacks the virus by preventing EBV from replicating in the body.
If you or a loved one wants to be tested or treated for Epstein-Barr virus or an autoimmune disease, contact us for a 15 minute health advisor call at 855-976-5578.
