Do you often feel tired and lethargic for no apparent reason? Do you also have a low-grade fever, a sore throat, and a sore throat? Many people think that this is just a common cold, but behind these symptoms may be a very common virus in the world, but we don't talk about it much. This is the Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV for short.
What is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)?
Simply put, EBV is one of the most common viruses in the world. It is mainly transmitted through our saliva. Imagine, it is so common that about 95% of adults have been infected with this virus at some point in their lives. Most of the time, they don't even know it.
This virus belongs to the Herpesvirus family. To be precise, `(Herpesvirus 4)`. But don't worry, this is different from the types of herpes we usually talk about. The special thing about the EBV virus is that once it enters your body, this virus stays in your body for life. But it doesn't always cause disease. Most of the time, it stays dormant in the body. But sometimes, especially when our immunity is weak, it can reactivate and cause symptoms.
The main and most well-known disease caused by this virus is ``Mononucleosis.`` Some people also call it the ``Kissing Disease.`` The reason is that it is very easily transmitted through kissing.
What are the symptoms of an EBV infection?
It can take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to develop symptoms after you have been infected with the virus. But you can still spread the virus to others during that time. When symptoms do appear, they are often similar to those of a common cold or flu. These symptoms are especially mild in young children. Sometimes there may be no symptoms at all.
However, in younger people, especially teenagers, symptoms can be more pronounced. Extreme fatigue is particularly common among them.
The table below lists the most common symptoms of EBV infection.
| Symptom | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Fatigue | Feeling tired all the time, no matter how much sleep you get. |
| Fever | Feeling hot, having a fever for several days. |
| Sore throat | A sore throat that hurts when swallowing, swollen tonsils. |
| Swollen glands in the neck | Swollen lymph nodes in places like the neck and armpits. |
| Muscle aches | Muscle weakness and soreness. |
| Skin rash | Some people may develop a red rash on their body. |
| Swelling of the spleen and liver | This can be detected during an examination by a doctor. |
In most cases, you will start to feel better within 2-4 weeks, but fatigue may persist for several months.
How is the EBV virus transmitted?
As we mentioned earlier, this virus is highly contagious. It is mainly spread through saliva. That is why `Mononucleosis` is also called the "Kissing Disease". Apart from that, it can be spread in several other ways.
The most important thing is that you can catch this virus even from someone who is asymptomatic.
| Method of transmission |
|---|
| Coughing and sneezing. |
| Drinking from the same cup or eating from the same plate with an infected person. |
| Sharing personal items such as toothbrushes and cutlery. |
| By touching things like toys that small children put in their mouths. |
| Through sexual intercourse (through bodily fluids). |
Let's learn about diagnosis and treatment.
How do you find this, Doctor?
It's hard to tell if you have EBV infection based on your symptoms alone, because symptoms like fever, fatigue, and sore throat can be similar to the common cold or flu. So, if you have these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor and get checked out.
When your doctor examines you, he or she will look for an enlarged spleen or liver, or white spots on your tonsils. In addition, you may be asked to take a blood test to find out for sure. This blood test checks for antibodies that your body has made against the virus. This can tell you for sure whether you are currently infected or have had it in the past.
What are the treatments?
Because EBV is a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. In fact, there is no specific treatment for EBV yet. However, researchers are investigating some drugs.
Therefore, treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms.
- Get plenty of rest. Don't try to go to work or school, no matter how hard it is for your body.
- Drink plenty of water and fluids. It is very important to keep your body from becoming dehydrated.
- For a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water. Or, you can suck on an ice pop or a lozenge.
- For fever and body aches, you can take a painkiller such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen recommended by your doctor.
- Sudden, sharp pain on the left side of the abdomen. This could be a sign of a problem with the spleen.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing. This is an emergency. Call 1990 immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
- Very little urine output. This can be a sign of dehydration.
- If your symptoms do not improve after 4-6 weeks or if they worsen, be sure to see a doctor again. It could be another infection.
- EBV is a very common virus in the world, transmitted through saliva. Most people will get it at some point in their lives.
- The main symptoms are fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen glands in the neck. These are similar to the symptoms of a common cold.
- There is no specific treatment for this. The best thing to do is get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and treat the symptoms.
- Once the virus enters the body, it remains dormant in the body for life. It can reactivate when immunity decreases.
- If you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or severe stomach pain, seek medical advice immediately.
- Do not share items such as cups, spoons, or toothbrushes with someone who has symptoms.
Warning: Do not give aspirin to children under 19 years of age because it can cause a rare but serious condition called `Reye's syndrome`.
Even if you start going back to work or school, start slowly. Avoid activities that can damage the spleen, such as sports and heavy lifting, for at least a month.
Complications caused by EBV
Although most cases of EBV infection are self-limiting, some rare complications can occur. It's important to be aware of these. But remember that these are very rare.
| Possible complications | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Ruptured spleen | This is an emergency. Sudden, sharp pain in the left side of the abdomen may be a sign of this . |
| Nervous system problems | Infections of the brain and spinal cord, such as meningitis and encephalitis. |
| Inflammation of the heart muscle (Myocarditis) | A swelling in the heart muscle. |
| Increased risk of cancer | It increases the risk of certain types of cancer, such as Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and upper throat cancer. |
When should you seek medical advice?
While EBV infection usually resolves with rest at home, in some cases, immediate medical attention is necessary. Be especially aware of these symptoms:
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