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The Epstein-Barr virus is a member of the herpes family and is considered one of the most common viruses on the planet. It is found in many places and affects a large number of people. According to the National Institutes of Health report, approximately 95 percent of the population has been infected with the virus.
Most people become infected with the virus during infancy or early childhood. The Epstein-Barr virus typically spreads through bodily fluids like saliva and causes several illnesses, including infectious mononucleosis. Unlike other viruses destroyed by the immune system, the Epstein-Barr virus can remain dormant for years and suddenly reactivate.
Symptoms of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
When the Epstein-Barr virus infects you, you may experience symptoms similar to strep throat or the flu, including fever, sore throat, body aches, skin rash, enlarged spleen, headache, swollen tonsils, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. Typically, the Epstein-Barr infection resolves itself; however, some individuals can experience more serious symptoms that affect their nervous system, brain, and spinal cord.
After exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus, your body carries the inactive virus for the rest of your life. Specific individuals will experience a reactivation of the virus, which typically does not cause any symptoms; however, particular individuals can experience a host of issues due to Epstein-Barr reactivation. When your immune system is healthy, specialized immune cells, including T cells and CD4 cells, keep the Epstein-Barr virus dormant. If your immune system becomes compromised, the virus can reactivate. Oftentimes, individuals with weakened immune systems will experience the following symptoms.
- Abdominal pain caused by an enlarged spleen
- Autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, etc.
- Cancer, including lymphoma
- Chronic joint pain
- Chronic muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Rash
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
Causes of Reactivation of Epstein-Barr Virus
When your immune system is not functioning correctly, the risk of Epstein-Barr viral reactivation substantially increases. There are many reasons why your immune system may not be functioning correctly. Let’s examine these and discuss how to improve immunity and decrease the risk of reactivating the Epstein-Barr virus.
- Illness – Your immune system activates when an infection or disease occurs. If you are suffering from a chronic illness, your immune system can become overtaxed and unable to fight as well as it should, thus increasing your risk of reactivation. Maintaining good health through supplementation, a nutritious diet, and an exercise program can help boost immunity.
- Stress impacts every aspect of life, including mental, physical, and spiritual health. Learning how to counteract its effects on the body and mind can help reduce the risk of a compromised immune system. Stress relief practices, including daily exercise, meditation, and journaling, can help reduce the effects of stress on the immune system.
- Hormonal Imbalances – Your body runs smoothly on its own. Unfortunately, hormone imbalances caused by menopause, an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor sleep habits can increase your risk of illness. Your functional medicine doctor can help balance your hormones using a combination of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, an anti-inflammatory diet, daily exercise, and stress management techniques.
- Nutritional Deficiencies – If you are not giving your body the nutrients needed to maintain optimal immune health, you are at an increased risk of experiencing a reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus. Some of the top vitamins and minerals needed to boost immunity include vitamins A, C, D, and E, folic acid, iron, selenium, and zinc. Taking a vitamin and mineral supplement and eating foods rich in antioxidants can help to improve immunity and reduce the risk of Epstein-Barr reactivation. A licensed integrative nutritionist can help with your nutrition needs.
- Toxin Exposure—Toxins are present in our soil, the air we breathe, our foods, and our water sources. If the body is not healthy enough to detoxify, these toxins can build up, weaken the immune system, and increase inflammation. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, drinking plenty of fluids, exercising daily, and getting the recommended sleep can help the body detoxify.
- Leaky Gut—Leaky gut syndrome occurs when the lining of your intestines develops holes or cracks. These cracks allow undigested food particles, microbes, and toxins to enter your bloodstream, causing inflammation. As inflammation in the body increases, immunity decreases. As the immune system can no longer fight off infections, the risk of the Epstein-Barr virus reactivating increases. Take a probiotic supplement, increase your high-fiber food intake, reduce stress, and reduce your consumption of refined carbohydrates.
Functional Medicine Approach to Epstein-Barr Reactivation
A blood test for specific antibodies can confirm Epstein-Barr viral reactivation. Unfortunately, most adults have Epstein-Barr antibodies due to a past infection.
There is no cure for the Epstein-Barr virus; however, integrative medicine can help return it to its dormant state. Here are some ways functional medicine addresses Epstein-Barr reactivation.
- Reduce Systemic Inflammation—Poor food choices can lead to inflammation. Consuming processed foods, drinking too much alcohol, and being exposed to chemicals like artificial sweeteners are detrimental to health. Functional medicine embraces whole-food nutrition to reduce inflammation throughout the body and promote healing.
- Reversing the Effects of High Blood Glucose Levels—High blood glucose levels damage the lining of your blood vessels and your mitochondria. Reducing blood sugar levels through dietary management and daily exercise helps strengthen the body’s ability to fight the Epstein-Barr virus actively.
- Embracing Good Sleep Hygiene—Your body requires seven to nine hours of sleep each night. The body repairs itself during this time, resetting the immune system. If you are not getting enough sleep, it is essential to practice good sleep hygiene that includes going to bed at the same time each night, waking up at the same time every day, turning off electronics before bedtime, and preparing your bedroom for sleep (turning down the temperature a couple of degrees, using room darkening curtains, and a white noise machine).
- Quelling Stress—Stress impacts every aspect of health. When you experience chronic stress, your adrenal glands pump cortisol into your body. Cortisol causes increased inflammation throughout the body and reduces it. Chronic stress also alters the gut microbiome, which can increase your susceptibility to infections, including the reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus.
How Can We Help?
The first step in treating reactivated Epstein-Barr is to stop the virus from replicating. Strengthening the immune system through nutritional supplementation, a healthy diet, exercise, and adequate rest can help. Finally, probiotic supplementation, along with stress relief, will reduce inflammation. Our integrative providers can create a personalized treatment plan for overcoming fatigue and other symptoms accompanying Epstein-Barr Reactivation.
