epstein barr virus

Hi guys! Im new to all this BUT i  need some help and some questions answered. I know this group is for chronic fatique syndrome  HOWEVER I been diagnosed with the epstein barr virus also known as chronic fatique syndrone however I been told lately its not the same thing SO anyway before I begin will u guys be able to help me with questions regarding the chronic epstein virus questions?? Im really confused with this virus and need some info and questions answered I really hope u guys can help me Ill explain more n detail later if u guys can relate the the epstein barr virus thanks for response b4 hand

Hello ! Thank u so much for the response to my question. I have many questions about EBV actually mainly because I also have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) which means I obsess over things a great deal. OK well hers the situation I have been feeling very weak and tired and fatiqued for many years now I continually went to the dr many times and was always told I was fine BUT after I went for a recent visit complaining of the same thing was when my dr suggested I be tested for the EBV virus.. While i didnt think much of it I went ahead and let the dr do the blood work and it came back positive for the virus... After the dr called and informed me he assured me everything was fine and was no big deal and that I would just remain fatiqued and weak for the rest of my life due to this viruse and there was no treatment. He really didnt act concerned or told me anything about the virus really just that it caused chronic fatique and maybe just have to take some vitamins to get some energy it seemed like no big deal. However since i have ocd i started obsessing over this virus and I did research on the internet about it I waas shocked and suprised and stunned to learn that this virus comes from the herpes simplex viruses and that it can cause many bad cancers and illness such as MS.. My questions r as such How can I have ebv I f I dont have herpes I mean I occasionaly have cold sores but not breakouts? How did I catch this virus? Do I have a herpes simplex virus without knowing ot or ever having a std?? I mean herpes etc is a std right?? So how did i get the virus?? Another thing that worries me is the way it is spread.. They say its spread by salavia.. OK well ifs that is true does that mean I put my husband at risk for developing this virus as well every time I kiss him?? Can he get this virus through relations with me?? Also they say this virus is the main cause from alot of cancers etc So does that put me at a higher risk?? Im so sorry I have so many questions BUT its just my OCD is way out of control and I feel as though I haven been given the proper information on this disease. I feel very hurt and saddened that I have this terrible virus that has to do with the herpes simplex viruse that without my knowledge I have never been exposed to So is it possible to have that virus without having herpes? Im just so confused with it all. I just feel like I have to worry about transmitting this virus to my husband just by kissing him.. I know all this is soundinmg weird BUT I just feel like I got a disease and I didnt even do anything wrong such as being permiscious or anything and now I have to worry about having relations or MAINLY kissing my own husband over the fear of him becoming infected.. Also u cant die from that virus right?? Sorry for all the questions just so scared and panicky and feel so weird and confused about this whole thing.. Hope u can help me AGAIN sorry for the whinny and persistant and probably aggravating questions I just need to know all this stuff so i can hopefully get some relief and stop feeling like I ve done something wrong to be a victim of the virus Thank u so much Hope to hear from u soon!

Thank u so much for all your help info and encouragement! I do feel much better My OCD just got blown out of whack! I really appreciat u understanding and being patient with me! Thanks again!

Sally, your welcome. I hope you feel more at ease about ebv.

cbarrett56- LDN is GREAT for alot of people and for many different ailments. However, there are a large group of people who do not respond well to it at all for whatever reason (personally I think for some it is the gluten factor;( Some) LDN contains gluten which is typically not tolerated by most people with immune issues - sort of a co-inky dink, huh?)

Yes, lots of people, over 90% of the population, have ebv and/or other virus' in our bodies - dormant. It is when they reactivate that is an issue for ebv sufferers. There is no one reason what one thing can specifically reactivate the virus', it can be due to a multitude of reasons, a compromised immune system is only part of it; although it is obviously a big factor.

Sally,

you are confusing the different herpes virus'. The herpes ebv/mono virus is not the same herpes virus as the one that affects the genitals. It has nothing to do with "genital" herpes. There are several herpes virus.

There are many chronic ebv people who have spouses or partners that never become active - so, if you have been ill for some time and your husband has not shown any symptoms and you have "been together", kissed, whatever, I would surmise he is one of the fortunate that isn't effected like you or other cebv sufferers are. The EBV or mono virus is not spread just by kissing. One can get it anywhere - droplets in the air, shopping cart in a store, handle on a door, the list is nonending.

You could have been "activated" or "reactivated" from your niece. (how are you two blood related? I ask because I am guessing a genetic factor there makes you both more susceptible) I was reactivated by my nephew after being in "remission" when he visited while supposedly "unknowingly had chicken pox"

As for the MS connection, I have read there is speculation of one, but my question for that would be, why isn't it being treated (the ebv) if that is the case?

I would suggest the best way to handle your OCD obsession with this is to try and put it in a "good" perspective. Research different sources and think logically (as possible) about all that you read. Don't take any one source as "end all - be all" That should apply to any illness.  Too often people read from a few sources or all like minded and end up with doom and gloom, rather than considering all the real options.

Sally

Please try not to worry yourself about ebv so much. I do understand your issues with OCD and want you to know, ebv  is not a death sentence. You will be fine.

Have you ever had your adrenals or other hormone levels such as thyroid and/or sex hormones checked ? Sometimes low (or even high) - unbalanced hormones can contribute to OCD. Just a thought -

Sally, I have posted on another thread -- which I am going to read now, btw -- about chronic EBV.  I have chronic Lyme disease (and Babesia -- a protozoa carried by ticks).  I had believed that Lyme attacked my immune system and that is how my viruses reactivated -- I also have HHV6= Human Herpes Virus 6, another virus not related to cold sores or an STD.

I am also concerned about the possible cancer cause in HHV6.

Now, thru a lot of research, I have learned it is impossible to figure out what caused what: Did Lyme kick my immune system and cause these viruses to reactivate, or did I fall suseptible to Lyme because my immune system was already compromised by these viruses?

In my case, I really believe it is from the Lyme, as my tick bite was the beginning of all my symptoms.  My Dr is currently treating the Lyme w/ heavy doses of Augmentin.

I am also scared about all that can happen because of these viruses and my Lyme Dr, who is an infectious disease DR specializing in CFS, MS, AIDS, and Lyme was not immediately concerned about the viruses.  He has published papers on his research of HHV6. I could not understand it, because it was a medical paper, but Lyme, MS, and CFS were all mixed in there, altho I could not understand the relationships he was noting.

I am hoping upon hope that he believes kicking the Lyme will help my body kick the viruses.  At this time, my depression and fatigue are nearly unbearable, so let's hope so. But I am very scared that I now have CFS and will never get well.  I contracted Lyme over 3 yrs ago.

To others of you here w/ CFS. Maybe this has happened here before, so maybe you already know this, but a lot of folks on the Lyme board believe that all these diseases (CFS, MS, Alz, amongst others) are caused by Lyme disease.  Some even believe all of these ARE Lyme disease. 

I do not know about this, and I am not here to say this, but from what I do know, getting some testing for Lyme disease should be included in all diagnostic tests.  Unfortunately, Lyme tests are pretty inaccurate, however, there are no false positives except in the Elisa which is only about 30% accurate. 

But if anyone here suspects this could be possible, there's a lot of info on the Lyme board.

I am certainly not here to preach about Lyme -- I came here w/ questions about EBV

To those w/ OCD -- I don't think I have this, altho on and off I do latch onto a subject and obsess a little while. But I no longer have the energy to do all the cleaning and chores that I used to do. I live w/ dogs and have given up having a clean bed and clean house -- I just can't do it, plus work.

Anyone else's experiences?

Sally, (and everyone else), I am sorry about the reasons you find yourself here.  I hope you find all of your answers!