Tag: Epstein-Barr

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How Can Epstein-Barr Affect The Brain?

Angelica Bottaro

Viral infections come in all shapes and sizes. Some will take a light hold and cause mild illness, while others will dive deep into tissues and cause long-term disease and health issues. Viruses also affect people in different ways. For example, a young, healthy person may not experience any symptoms of a mild cold or flu virus, but an older adult with preexisting conditions could be hospitalized with the same infection.

When it comes to common viruses that are difficult to understand, Epstein-Barr is the leader of the pack. The virus has been around for a long time – people may commonly know it as “the kissing disease”, or mono. As much as 90% of the global population is actually walking around with the Epstein-Barr virus in their bodies without any knowledge of it!

Because of this, some people may suffer from long-term consequences of the disease, such as autoimmune conditions and an increased risk of developing certain cancers. But how does Epstein-Barr affect the brain? Let’s investigate.

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What Are The Long Term Effects Of Epstein-Barr?

Angelica Bottaro

Not all viruses are the same, and they can each cause varying health issues from person to person. For example, the flu virus tends to cause mild illness that, for most people, lasts for a week, give or take. However, that same virus can last much longer or cause severe health complications in others. When it comes to viral infections, it’s hard to determine precisely how a person will be affected until they contract it. The same can be said for the most common viral infection in the world: The Epstein-Barr virus. So what are the potential long-term effects of Epstein-Barr?

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Does Having Epstein-Barr Make You Immunocompromised?

Angelica Bottaro

The immune system is designed to protect you from illness and disease. When it works as it should, the body is kept healthy and relatively safe from various pathogens. However, some things can cause the immune system to malfunction. From not eating the right foods to leading a sedentary lifestyle and missing out on precious sleep, there is no shortage of lifestyle factors associated with weakened immunity. Environmental risks can also cause the immune system to run poorly, including viruses like Epstein-Barr. But does having Epstein-Barr make you immunocompromised?  

Research has long examined what being immunocompromised means, how it affects health, and what causes it. To date, there are some answers to all these questions – but some things are still a mystery. Recent data surrounding the Epstein-Barr virus has painted a picture of its connection to autoimmune disease and immunocompromised individuals. But does it cause a person’s immune system to falter, or is there more to the story than that?

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Can EBV Turn Into Lupus?

Angelica Bottaro

Viral infections are common. But did you know we can contract various types of viruses without even knowing? While there are possible symptoms associated with most virus-driven illnesses, the immune system can sometimes fight so well that people don’t feel any changes in their bodies. Because of that, when these kinds of viruses spread, they can do so quickly and easily. Once a person contracts certain types of these viral infections, the virus can also lay dormant in the body for the rest of their lives. In these cases, the spread may be lower, but not nonexistent.

One virus that has afflicted most of the world’s population due to its low symptoms, high spread rate, and ability to lay dormant is the Epstein-Barr virus. But what is Epstein-Barr, exactly? And does it have a link to other diseases – can EBV turn into lupus, for example? Read on to learn more.

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Is Epstein-Barr Virus Linked to Autoimmune Disease?

Angelica Bottaro

The Epstein-Barr virus is the most common viral infection in the world, and it’s thought that roughly 90% of the population has been infected with it at some point in their lives. It belongs to the herpes family of viruses and is otherwise known as human herpesvirus 4. Its commonality stems from its ability to spread easily through saliva and other bodily fluids, and the lack of specific symptoms it causes.

Considering how common it is, people may wonder why they’ve never heard of EBV. Many have likely either experienced or known someone who experienced a specific infection caused by the virus known as mononucleosis (mono), or “the kissing disease.” Typically, people with EBV contract it during childhood and are asymptomatic, meaning they experience no symptoms at all. However, even when signs of infection arise, they include ailments such as fatigue, fever, throat inflammation, and swollen lymph nodes. Of course, all of these afflictions can develop because of various health issues, not just Epstein-Barr.

New research is shining a light on this common virus and its connection to other health issues. Various findings have suggested that, even though EBV can lay dormant within the body, it can still set off a host of problems that people will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. Specifically, it has been recently linked to incurable autoimmune diseases. So how is Epstein-Barr virus linked to autoimmune disease, exactly? Read on to learn more.

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