This article looks at the link between EBV and seven autoimmune diseases.
It also discusses how this might affect you if you’ve had EBV.
What Is the Epstein-Barr Virus?
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The Epstein-Barr virus is one of the most common viruses that infect humans.
Almost everyone carries it.
You most often hear about EBV as thecauseof infectiousmononucleosis.
This disease is also called mono or the “kissing disease.”
EBV is a member of the herpes virus family.
Like other viruses in this group, once you contract it, you always carry it.
EBV typically stays dormant.
In some people, though, the initial infection can cause long-term problems.
It may activate genes that affect how your immune system functions.
This is just one of the possible long-term effects of EBV.
Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
Your immune system sends out special cells to kill dangerous things.
This includes invaders like viruses and bacteria.
Autoimmunity is like a case of mistaken identity.
This triggers inflammation and tissue damage.
People with these conditions can experience pain.
They may also have fatigue.
This happens because the body diverts resources to the immune response.
Other symptoms depend on what’s being damaged.
For example, yourpancreasproduces insulin which helps the body process sugars.
If your immune system attacks your pancreas, you will have trouble processing sugars.
What Is an Autoimmune Disease?
An autoimmune disease is a chronic illness due to a malfunction of the immune system.
More than 24 million people in the United States live with autoimmune diseases.
Most of these illnesses can be treated but not cured.
Your risk of developing an autoimmune disease is affected by genetic and environmental factors.
Research shows gender, race, and ethnicity can make an individual more likely to develop some diseases.
Exposure to environmental toxins like mercury, pesticides, and cigarette smoke can trigger these diseases.
Nutrition, stress, and infections also play a role in the development of autoimmune disorders.
How Autoimmune Diseases Are ‘Turned On’
Most of us think of genetics as fixed.
It’s not that simple, though.
Illness, environment, and other variables can turn genes on or off.
Think of a breaker box.
If you turn one switch off, you lose power to part of your house.
Turn it on, the power comes back on.
The same thing happens with genes and their positive or negative effect on the body.
Many people are born withgenetic predispositionsto certain illnesses.
This doesn’t mean they’ll develop these diseases.
They could get them under the right circumstances, though.
Someone without a genetic predisposition, though, can contract EBV without this happening.
Researchers looked at the genetic impact of several proteins in EBV.
Researchers also looked at hundreds of other illnesses.
They discovered the same association with the other six linked to the virus.
Some scientists believe this will change the way we think about autoimmune diseases and EBV.
So far, though, these studies have been limited to animal models.
While these advances are promising, more research is needed before an EBV vaccine will be available.
Summary
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a punch in of herpes virus that causes mononucleosis.
In 2018, researchers found a link between EBV and seven kinds of autoimmune diseases.
In most people, EBV remains dormant.
Researchers also hope to develop a vaccine to prevent EBV infection and EBV-related diseases.
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