
Epstein-Barr virus
A functional medicine approach to Epstein-Barr Virus.
Seeking a natural treatment for the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)? This page covers:
Understanding your condition
What is Epstein-Barr Virus?
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a very common virus that infects humans. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 9 out of 10 people have been infected with EBV. This virus is a type of herpes virus that spreads easily through saliva and other bodily fluids, usually infecting people during childhood.
Even when EBV doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms or only mild ones, it remains in the body forever. Typically, the virus stays dormant and inactive, not causing any problems. As long as you stay reasonably healthy, your immune system can keep the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) under control. However, EBV can reactivate and make you sick again. Certain factors can trigger this reactivation, such as medications, hormonal changes, stress, or a weakened immune system.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent EBV infection, and no medicines can completely eliminate the virus once you have it. However, medications can help relieve the symptoms of mononucleosis, which can develop when EBV becomes active or reactivates.
What is mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis, commonly known as mono, is an illness typically caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). While anyone can contract mono, it most often affects teenagers and young adults between the ages of 14 and 30. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, usually appearing 4 to 6 weeks after initial EBV exposure and lasting for an extended period.
How do I know if I had mononucleosis?
The symptoms of mononucleosis (mono) are similar to other contagious illnesses, like the common cold and flu. These include:
- Feeling very tired (fatigue)
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin
- Muscle pain
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Rash
The symptoms of mononucleosis (mono) can be tricky to distinguish from other illnesses, making it hard to know if you have mono or something else. However, your immune system does respond to the Epstein-Barr virus that causes mono, producing special proteins called antibodies to help fight the infection and aid recovery.
These antibodies are stored in the blood and organs of your immune system, and are sometimes referred to as “markers” that indicate your body is actively responding to the virus. So while the initial symptoms may be unclear, your immune system’s response can provide helpful clues about whether you’re dealing with mono.
EBV
A natural treatment for EBV.
Our functional medicine Lyme disease expert takes a personalized approach to helping people with Epstein-Barr Virus find safe and effective natural relief. We’re here to support your recovery from EBV and help you build a solid foundation for lasting, vibrant health.

Common Epstein-Barr Virus symptoms.
How do you know if your Epstein-Barr virus has been reactivated? The most common symptoms are:
- Persistent fatigue that can be debilitating
- Severe body aches
- Frequent headaches
- Sore throat
- Rashes
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Enlarged spleen
- Enlarged liver
- Liver dysfunction
- Low platelet levels
While fever is typical during initial Epstein-Barr infection, it’s not as common with reactivated illness. The key is looking out for that combination of chronic fatigue, body aches, swollen glands, and other lingering symptoms. Pay attention to how you’re feeling, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor if you suspect a reactivation.
How Epstein-Barr Virus affect the body?
The virus attaches to your white blood cells, specifically the lymphocyte B cells. These white blood cells normally help fight infection, but when the virus latches onto them, your cells can no longer effectively combat the infection. As a result, you experience symptoms.
What are the stages of EBV?
Epstein-Barr virus infection typically goes through three main phases:
- Infection – The virus copies itself in your body, which may or may not cause any noticeable symptoms.
- Latency – During this stage, the EBV virus essentially goes dormant and “falls asleep” in your body.
- Reactivation – Sometimes the virus can “wake up” again, leading to the return of symptoms.
Causes of EBV.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) easily spreads through saliva. You can catch EBV by sharing items that have touched an infected person’s saliva, like drinking from the same glass or kissing someone with the virus. EBV is highly contagious, so it’s important to be cautious about activities that involve contact with another person.
Is Epstein-Barr Virus contagious?
Yes, the Epstein-Barr virus is highly contagious. During the incubation period – the 4 to 6 weeks between exposure and symptoms – the virus can easily spread from person to person.
The virus spreads primarily through saliva, but it can also be transmitted via other body fluids. You can catch EBV from an infected individual in several ways:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Kissing
- Sexual contact (through blood or semen)
- Sharing personal items like toothbrushes, utensils, or cups
- Touching objects a child has put in their mouth or drooled on
Even if you have the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) but don’t feel sick, you can still pass it on to others. Once you get infected, the virus will lie dormant (sleeping or inactive) in your body. Certain events can cause EBV to reactivate and become contagious again, potentially making you symptomatic as well. Some common triggers for EBV reactivation include:
- Stress
- A weakened immune system
- Menopause or other hormonal changes
Epstein-Barr Virus long term effects.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can have many long-term effects on your body. This virus can impact various systems, including your nervous system, blood, and lungs. Some potential EBV complications include:
- Myocarditis, which is swelling of the heart muscle
- Increased risk of certain cancers like Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal cancer
- Lung diseases such as pneumonia
- Brain and spinal cord problems like meningitis, encephalitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Ruptured spleen
- Sinus infections (bacterial sinusitis)
- Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
- Tonsil swelling
- A weakened immune system that makes it harder to fight off infections
Epstein-Barr Virus treatment – the conventional approach.
While there is no specific conventional treatment for EBV, conventional medical treatments for EBV typically involve resting, getting plenty of fluids, and taking over-the-counter medicine to alleviate pain and discomfort. Antibiotics are ineffective against EBV because it’s a virus.
Epstein-Barr Virus – functional testing.
Our experienced holistic EBV practitioner may recommend the following functional tests:
- Early antigen (EA): The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Early Antigen (EA) test measures the antibody levels your body produces in response to the EBV. This test is crucial for diagnosing and treating EBV infections.
- EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA): The Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen (EBNA) antibody test is a simple blood test that checks for antibodies your body produces when exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This test can help diagnose infectious mononucleosis (mono) and determine if you’ve been infected with EBV in the past.
- Monospot test: The monospot test is a blood test that checks for infectious mononucleosis, also known as mono. It looks for antibodies your body produces to fight the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mono.
The BionwoRx functional medicine approach.
Natural treatment for EBV .
Though there’s no specific cure for the Epstein-Barr virus, we can support your immune system to help the virus return to its dormant state. It’s a complex process, but by taking an active approach, we can work together to manage this virus effectively.
Your BionwoRx Epstein-Barr treatment expert will take a holistic look at your life to identify any factors contributing to a dysfunctional immune system. We’ll then work to reduce those factors as much as possible. Next, we’ll optimize your body through careful management, adapting and changing factors until they suit you and improve your health in the best way. Throughout this process, we’ll support your immune system, your body, and you. Finally, we’ll empower you with personalized information and create a tailored long-term plan just for you.
FAQs.
Is an EBV infection serious?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can do more than just cause infectious mononucleosis. It can also affect a person’s brain, spinal cord, and nerves. And for people with weakened immune systems, an EBV infection can lead to even more severe illness.
What does it mean to be positive for EBV?
If your test results show antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in your blood, that means you currently have or previously had an EBV infection. EBV is a common virus that many people get exposed to at some point in their lives.
Does EBV go away?
Even after you’ve been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), it will remain in your body for life. The virus can lie dormant for long periods, but it may also reactivate, causing you to experience symptoms again. In fact, you could have been infected without ever realizing it, since some people carry the virus without ever getting sick.
What triggers EBV activation?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can lie dormant in your body, but certain factors can cause it to become active again. Things like stress, certain medications, and a weakened immune system can reactivate the virus.