Odds are you or someone you know has experienced the so-called “kissing disease”, also called mono or mononucleosis. However, mononucleosis also has another name: Epstein-Barr.
Epstein-Barr virus or EBV is one of the nine known human herpesvirus types and one of the most common viruses in humans in the world affecting an estimated 200+ million Americans. You may even have been infected by this virus without knowing it! Let’s take a closer look at EBV, break down where it comes from, and examine some remedies you can rely on.
What is Epstein Barr?
Epstein-Barr or mono is a type of virus belonging to the herpes virus family. It’s extremely common and easily spread. In fact, 90% of the population before age 20 gets Epstein-Barr!
EBV can lay dormant in your body for months or years after infection and may eventually reactivate or cause symptoms long after the initial outbreak. Often the virus never leaves a person’s body and they may not experience any symptoms.
Children who are infected with EBV don’t usually experience any symptoms. Or they may experience symptoms that are indistinguishable from other brief childhood illnesses like colds.
Regardless, Epstein-Barr is typically a non-serious virus that is defeated by your body’s immune system within a number of days or weeks. However, there is also a chronic Epstein-Barr virus.
Chronic Epstein-Barr has been linked to many autoimmune conditions. The virus can lay dormant in our body but attack other cells. New research shows that the Epstein-Barr virus is a contributing factor to autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s or Graves, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, celiac, and rheumatoid arthritis. The virus may be lying dormant in your system but, like in the case of Hashimoto’s or Graves, where the virus starts in your lymph node system and later attacks the thyroid glands, it can still cause issues. It has also been linked to specific types of cancer, anemia, hepatitis, and liver issues.
What Causes Epstein Barr?
It’s not called the kissing disease for nothing! Epstein-Barr is primarily found in saliva, which means that the virus usually spreads from either kissing someone infected or from an infected person’s saliva spreading to other surfaces, such as through utensils.
However, EBV can also be found in blood and semen, so the virus can transmit through other methods such as sex, injuries from roughhousing, and more. Sharp objects, toothbrushes, and other potential transmission vectors can all spread Epstein-Barr from an infected person to an uninfected person.
Even worse, an Epstein-Barr carrier doesn’t have to be sick with the virus to pass it to someone else. Remember, this virus sticks around in your body long after your immune system defeats it and prevents it from causing symptoms.
Epstein-Barr Symptoms
In children, Epstein-Barr symptoms are similar to those they get with the flu, such as a fever, muscle fatigue, and even potentially diarrhea or ear infections.
In adults, Epstein-Barr’s major symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness
- General fatigue
- Fever
- Skin rash
- Enlarged spleen
- Sore throat
- Enlarged liver
- Swollen glands or lymph nodes
More seriously, Epstein-Barr has been linked as a potential cause or exacerbating effect for other major conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and more.
Epstein-Barr Virus Testing
EBV infections are confirmed by blood tests that detect antibodies. One of them is the monospot test. However, the Centers for Disease Control doesn’t recommend it for general use since the results aren’t always precise. There are other blood tests for more specific antibodies to EBV, such as a viral capsid antigen (VCA). The antibodies for VCA appear early in the infection. One type (anti-VCA IgM) disappears after a few weeks while another (anti-VCA IgG) can last for life. Antibodies to an Early antigen (EA) appear during an active infection and generally become undetectable after several months.
If you get an EBV infection, try these methods to bolster your immune system or alleviate your symptoms.
6 Natural Remedies for Epstein-Barr
Because Epstein-Barr is so common, our bodies’ immune systems are pretty effective at defeating this virus and forcing it into remission. After getting mono for the first time, you may not experience symptoms of the illness again for the rest of your life. However, with the virus still in your system and the possibility of it attacking other organs or systems in your body, it’s important to build up your immune system. Let’s take a look at six natural remedies and solutions you can rely on to tackle this virus.
High Dose Vitamin C
Research shows that people with higher doses of vitamin C had lower levels of the EB viral load. Higher doses of vitamin c can also help to prevent infection and replication of the virus. You can find Livingood Daily High Dose Vitamin C formulated with quercetin in the store!
Zinc
Zinc also inhibits viral replication, helps the immune response, and prevents over-inflammation. The best way to take and absorb zinc into your system is with quercetin. A combination of the Livingood Daily Vitamin D and Livingood Daily Vitamin C will ensure that your body is absorbing all of the necessary nutrients properly.
Beta Glucan
Beta Glucan is typically found in oats and is known to lower cholesterol. It is also a powerful immune regulating agent that helps to reduce inflammation. It’s a great helper for Epstein-Barr but you want to be sure that you don’t get it from oats if you’re trying to lower cholesterol and lose weight since oats are so high in sugar. The Livingood Daily Greens are super high in nutrients and are a great source of beta-glucan.
Monolaurin
Monolaurin is a lipid extract from coconut. It’s powerful against viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic activity. Research shows that monolaurin is specifically powerful against EBV. So it is an essential nutrient for fighting off Epstein-Barr virus and for supporting autoimmune conditions. Livingood Daily Oregano + Monolaurin combines these two super nutrients for a powerful antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial supplement.
Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is an antiviral and antimicrobial agent. It is especially helpful in the active stage of Epstein-Barr. The Livingood Daily Silver Serum uses patented technology to suspend the silver in a water structure so that it won’t fall out. Studies show that this way of suspending the colloidal silver in water is 10x more effective than products that don’t.
Cleanse the Liver and Repair the Gut
Your digestive system helps to run your immune system. Thirty days of detoxing your gut from all the toxins, chemicals, viruses, and bad bacteria that we encounter on a daily basis will help to repair your gut and reduce stress on your body’s filtration system, the liver.
After resetting your gut and cleansing your liver, a nutrient-dense diet is essential for remaining healthy and free from the symptoms and complications of the Epstein-Barr virus. The Livingood Daily Lifestyle will teach you how to reset your gut and cleanse your liver with a 30-day, step-by-step protocol that will put your digestive system and filtration systems into optimum health.
Summary
All in all, Epstein-Barr is a common viral infection you’ll probably have to deal with at one time or another. But you can minimize the severity of your symptoms or even reduce your children’s chances of getting this illness by following the tips above.
Sources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24793092/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130207131344.htm
