EBV known as Epstein-Barr Virus is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is estimated that 95% of adults carry the virus and many children are infected. Many infected people have no illness or symptoms. However, some cases of EBV may develop into illness.
Are Mononucleosis and EBV related?
For example, in teenagers and young adults, Epstein-Barr Virus is responsible for an illness known as infectious mononucleosis. Infected adolescents may display the following symptoms of Infectious Mononucleosis:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Inflamed throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen liver
- Enlarged spleen
- Rash
While not easy to catch, EBV spreads through close contact with other infected people. Transmission methods include:
- Kissing
- Sharing food and drink
- Sharing utensils
- Sharing a toothbrush
- Sexual contact
Currently, there is no treatment for Infectious Mononucleosis, patients are advised to rest, hydrate, and take over the counter pain medications.
Unfortunately, infected persons may spread the virus for weeks before symptoms develop. Once you contract the virus and recover from any associated symptoms,the Epstein-Barr Virus remains in your body in an inactive state. Thankfully, for many people the latent virus does not cause any further illness or issues.
Diagnosing EBV infections
There are a number of ways to diagnose an Epstein-Barr Virus infections, commonly in our office we run 3 standard lab tests
- viral capsid antigen (VCA): Antibodies to VCA appear early in the infection. One type (anti-VCA IgM) disappears after several weeks while another (anti-VCA IgG) persists for life.
- early antigen (EA): Antibodies to EA appear during an active infection. They typically become undetectable after several months, although they may persist for longer in some people.
- EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA): Antibodies to EBNA slowly appear in the months following infection and can be detected throughout a person’s life.
Potential long term impacts of EBV
Do you have undiagnosed EBV complications?
As stated previously, in most patients EBV does not cause long term illness or other health issues. However, Dr. Cushing often treats patients who unfortunately are dealing with long term, undiagnosed complications of EBV that may include:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Meniere’s Disease
- Celiac Disease
- Grave’s Disease
The link between EBV and disease is not completely known. Some scientists believe that the Epstein-Barr Virus interacts with the genes to contribute to autoimmune disease and some cancers such as:
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Burkitt Lymphoma
- Prostate Cancer
Natural Treatment Options
Typically, patients in our office are advised to boost their immune systems by:
- Eating anti-oxidant and Vitamin A rich foods, including leafy greens, colorful peppers and berries.
- Avoid overly refined foods, like cakes and cookies and processed snacks.
- Use healthy oils.
- limit red meat.
- Stay hydrated and avoid coffee and alcohol.
- Include fish like salmon and halibut which are high in Omega 3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation and improve immunity.
Boost Immunity with Supplements
Many supplements are excellent immune system boosters and are readily available. We recommend using high quality food based supplements, these include:
- Vitamin D – enhances white blood cell response and reduces inflammation, studies have shown that Vitamin D supplementation may enhance anti-viral treatments. Vitamin D also facilitates healing and respiratory response.
- Vitamin C- supports the function of immune cells and enhances their ability to fight infection
- Garlic- has powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and has been shown to enhance immune health by stimulating protective white blood cells.
- Andrographis – This herb contains a terpenoid compound found to have antiviral effects against respiratory-disease-causing viruses.
- Licorice – contains many substances, including glycyrrhizin, that may help protect against viral infections.
- B vitamins – including B12 and B6, are important for healthy immune response.
- Curcumin – is the main active compound in turmeric. Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and may help improve immune function.
- Echinacea – is a genus of plants in the daisy family. Certain species have been shown to improve immune health and may have antiviral effects against several respiratory viruses.
Dr. Cushing’s Approach to Treatment
- Dr. Cushing takes the time to listen very carefully and examine each patient, documenting complex family and personal health history, ruling out pathologies with similar symptoms to Chronic Epstein Barr with appropriate lab tests, as needed.
- Skilled muscle testing (especially Contact Reflex Analysis ) is used to determine the weak links in a patient’s system.
- The main organs and glands are examined for clear signs of reversed bio-magnetic fields. These are the underlying organizing fields in the tissues that determine oxygen content, pH, level of enzyme activity, and other important elements that impact the body’s functioning. They have been thoroughly and scientifically identified and researched by Dr. William Philpott and others. In Dr. Cushing’s experience, there is little advantage in introducing even the most appropriate “silver bullet” supplement into a digestive tract that has reversed magnetic polarity.
- When appropriate and needed, Dr. Cushing treats his patients for systemic candidiasis, “leaky gut,” depressed immune system, sleep disturbances, parasites, and allergies, hypersensitivities and intolerances. Many of Dr. Cushing’s patients are allergic to commonly eaten foods, vitamins, and some nutritional/herbal supplements. It is often a priority to desensitize EBV patients to the very items they need to heal their tissues.
- Dr. Cushing uses clinically proven, quality nutrients and supplements to assist the healing process.
read Dr. Cushing’s biography
