Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a commonly found human virus, which causes contagious mononucleosis and may be the reason for causing two uncommon kinds of cancer like Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Some physicians and medical studies refer to it as the 'kissing disease'. This viral infection comes from the 'herpes' group if viruses, and mostly infects people of the 35-40 years age group. The infection follows a condition called glandular fever, which generally affects teenagers and young individuals. Younger children affected with EBV are normally not found having any symptoms, or in rare cases, have mild symptoms. It is the first virus which is linked to human malignance, and is a human tumor virus.

Causes

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) disease may be a result of mononucleosis, also called 'mono', which is a transmissible viral illness. At the initial stages it attacks the lymph glands in the neck and throat. The virus attacks the white blood cells produced in the lymph glands, which causes the WBCs to modify their shape and multiply. There are no indications of the symptoms at first, as it may take few weeks for sufficient infected white blood cells to accumulate and generate complications. The infection can spread in individual cases, and also during a disease outbreak, and spreads by saliva. The time from when the pathogen enters the body and the time when the first symptom appears, is normally 7-14 days in kids and teenagers, whereas the incubation time in grownups is longer, approximately 30-50 days.

In few severe cases, the virus may stay in the body for over six months. Such a condition is know as a chronic EBV infection. Some physicians and medical professionals consider it to be a cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), however, firm evidences have not come up as yet. Glandular fever spreads if the infected person's pharynx comes in contact with the moisture in another person's mouth. This infection spreads due to kissing, sharing glasses for a drink, and using other's toothbrushes, or anything which has been in contact with the saliva of the infected individual.

Symptoms

The development of the infection starts showing mild symptoms which may exactly be like the symptoms of a cold or influenza. As the infection spreads further and the condition worsens, more symptoms are experienced, such as a sour throat which lasts for around two weeks; swelling in the lymph glands of the neck, armpits, and groin area; a high fever; fatigue; and physical uneasiness. The symptoms experienced by an affected person may be mild, or so serious that he would be unable to swallow food, or experience fever which may reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Some individuals may even experience a rash, eye pain or photalgia, swelling in the spleen, or an infection in the liver.

Even though, the symptoms of mononucleosis normally disappear in one or two months, the EBV hibernates in cells of the throat and blood for the rest of the infected person's lifespan. The virus may show its after-effects at regular periods and cause problems. The after-effects start with symptoms of sickness or fever. The harmful virus may also infect the cells in the body's immune system.

Treatments

In several cases of this viral infection, a specific treatment is not essential, as the illness may be fixed for a particular timespan. Moreover, antibiotics have no effect on the virus. Physicians recommend a complete bed rest and sufficient consumption of fluids. When the patient's fever disappears and regains strength, he may carry on with his normal everyday work activities. Nevertheless, the complication may lead to a streptococcal infection of the throat, for which doctor would prescribe the use of antibiotics. Physicians prescribe corticoid medicines, if there is a swelling in the spleen, and in such cases one should not participate in strenuous activities like lifting and pushing, or any kind of sports, which may damage it severely.

If any of the above symptoms are experienced, one should immediately contact the physician who will recommend the necessary steps which are needed for getting rid of the infection and its symptoms. Scientists and researchers are trying to invent a vaccine which would enable us to prevent the infection. However, they are not fully successful at it, due to the virus' hiding properties.