Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common human viruses in the world. Sooner or later, EBV infection will occur in everyone's life. How does the infection occur? What are the symptoms? How do you treat EBV? We answer all these questions below.

What is Epstein-Barr virus?

EBV belongs to the herpes type of viruses. It causes infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as "kissing disease." However, there are more ways to be infected with EBV which may also develop into a disease. A link between Epstein-Barr virus and certain cancer tumors has already been proven, while there is still an ongoing research into the pathogenesis of depression and autoimmune diseases due to EBV. The virus primarily attacks oral and pharyngeal epithelial cells, as well as lymphocytes. Similarly to papillomavirus, the infection initially has no visible symptoms.

How does EBV infection happen?

Epstein-Barr virus is spread through contact with the body fluids of an infected person, most commonly saliva. Once in the body, it then infects the epithelial cells of the mouth and throat, where new viral subunits and white blood cells are produced.

One can become infected through kissing EBV carriers, using the same toothbrush or utensils as well as touching children's toys and pacifiers that have saliva on them. Semen and blood can also become sources of Epstein-Barr virus. Therefore an infection also can occur through sexual contact, blood transfusion, and organ transplantation.

The virus carrier may be unaware of the infection thus infecting others for several weeks. It is only after about 4-6 weeks that the first symptoms of EBV appear. After they disappear, the virus remains inactive in the body, but can still reactivate after several months or even years.

Teens and adults are at greatest risk for infection.

What are the symptoms of Epstein-Barr virus?

Around 80-90% of the adult population becomes infected with EBV, but mostly experiences it asymptomatically. What is more, common symptoms indistinguishable from other illnesses may appear, such as elevated temperature, weakness, headache. The exception is when EBV becomes the cause of mononucleosis. First signs which cannot be ignored are enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and a severe sore throat.

Symptoms of the virus include:

• Feeling of weakness,
• Fever,
• Tiredness,
• Appetite loss,
• Skin rashes,
• Sore throat,
• Enlarged lymph nodes,
• Muscle pain.

Epstein-Barr virus has carcinogenic potential. People with healthy immune systems rarely experience similar complications, but the risk of cancer increases in organ transplant or AIDS patients.

How to diagnose and treat EBV?

Diagnosis takes place based on symptoms and blood tests. In the case of infection, the morphology shows changes in the form of an excessive number of white blood cells (leukocytosis). This is not a symptom that is considered exclusively characteristic of EBV however. During diagnosis, to confirm or exclude the virus, it is important to find specific antibodies:

• Heterophilic - indicating an active EBV virus,
• Anti-VCA lgM - active phase of virus, occasionally reactivation of infection,
• Anti-VCA lgG - phases occurring during infection, post-infection, chronic active infection, occasional reactivation, also during Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma,
• Anti-EA - active phase of infection, chronic active infection, sometimes with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma,
• Anti-EBNA - not present in the active phase of infection, but after a history of infection, chronic active infection, reactivation, Burkitt's lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

There are no specific treatment methods for the Epstein-Barr virus. However, it is advisable to drink enough fluids, get plenty of rest, and take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications which are widely available at pharmacies.