What health problems are caused by viral infections?

Since the symptoms of viral infections can mimic so many other health problems, researchers are still learning exactly how these infections can impact your health. However, these are some of the main health problems that have been clinically linked to underlying viral infections.

Brain problems

1. Depression and mood disorders

Depression and other brain health problems are on the rise worldwide. Multiple studies (3) including one in 2023 found an association (4) between mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder and suicide rates with CMV, although we still don’t understand exactly the mechanism of how it does so. Similar studies have linked Epstein-Barr virus (5) with forms of anxiety such as panic attacks and attachment disorders. The virus is also implicated in Lyme disease.

2. Chronic fatigue

Epstein-Barr is the cause of “Mono” (mononucleosis) which causes extreme exhaustion, but it doesn’t stop there. Up to 2.5 million Americans (6) have Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). These viruses have also been implicated (7) in this debilitating condition.

Autoimmune conditions

1. Autoimmune thyroid problems

The most common cause of low thyroid dysfunction in the west is autoimmune reactivity against the thyroid - specifically Hashimoto’s disease or autoimmune thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s is also the most common autoimmune disease in the world. One 2015 study hypothesized (8) that latent EBV hides in the thyroid tissue, and once reactivated, stimulates the immune system to attack the thyroid. As a result, Epstein-Barr virus and thyroid are closely linked.

To read more about how to overcome thyroid problems, click here

2. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A Journal of Clinical Rheumatology study (9) found that CMV was a possible trigger for Lupus.

3. Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD)

A study (10) out of the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology actually found that the higher the level of HHV-6 and CMV that was found in an individual, the higher the severity of Inflammatory Bowel Disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

4. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

This neurological autoimmune disease affects 2.5 million people worldwide, and millions more have unexplained neurological autoimmune reactivity. EBV is clearly seen in the medical literature as a potential trigger to MS. In fact, according to the Journal of Infectious Diseases, a shingles outbreak can nearly quadruple the risk (11) of MS!

5. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)

Another neurological autoimmune disease is Guillain-Barré syndrome. A 2021 study (12) published in the Iran Journal Of Child Neurology found that CMV is one of the most prominent viral triggers for GBS. Underlying Herpes zoster (shingles) can also be the culprit for other cases of unexplained nerve pain (neuropathy).

6. Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

Researchers have also looked (13) at the viral connection with yet another autoimmune-inflammatory neurological disease, Alzheimer’s, and found that there was an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease with CMV.

Functional Medicine Tools To Boost Your Immune System

If you suspect you have an underlying viral infection here are my top tips to reboot your immune system and start the healing process:

1. Get viral labs

I suggest getting a full viral screen to see if you have these or other unexplained health problems. Labs are able to tell if there is an active or past infection.

2. Support methylation

Methylation is a process that acts like a big biochemical superhighway, and facilitating a healthy immune system is one of its major functions. Studies have shown that EBV messes up methylation, (14) so those of us who have genetic changes such as MTHFR mutations and other methylation impairments can’t necessarily handle as much dysfunction in this area as someone whose methylation is normally unimpaired.

Support methylation with activated B vitamin supplements and foods rich in B vitamins such as green leafy vegetables, onions, garlic, and grass-fed beef and liver.

Read More: Everything You Need To Know About HLA Gene Variants + Their Connection to Mold, Lyme, and Chronic Fatigue

3. Take high quality fish oil

Research shows that the healthy fats (15) EPA and DHA from fish oil decrease the chances of EBV being reactivated.

4. Increase vitamin D intake

A 2016 study found (16) that vitamin D was able to bring down Epstein-Barr antibodies in patients with the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. Make sure to have your vitamin D levels tested to determine dosage, and shoot for the optimal range of 60 to 80.

5. Supplement with the herb astragalus

This root herb is used in traditional Chinese medicine (17) to fight off viral infections.

6. Heal your gut

You can’t talk about the immune system without covering the area where the majority of your immune system resides: your microbiome. A study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine found (18) an increase in symptoms of fatigue and depression coinciding with an increase in bacterial endotoxins found in leaky gut syndrome.

I recommend having labs done to evaluate your gut health in the context of chronic fatigue. Endotoxins will raise immune labs, such as white blood cell count and inflammatory proteins such as C-reactive protein and IL-6.

7. Live your detox

Chronic exposure to mold (19) and mercury (20) and other toxins have been linked to chronic fatigue. To fight off their effects, bring more detoxing foods into your daily diet. Garlic, cilantro, parsley, spirulina, and sage are some of my favorites. You can use them in smoothies, on salads, or to flavor your meals. Try rotating these foods throughout your week for comprehensive detox support.

Read More: Worried About Mold Exposure? Here’s What You Need To Know

8. Calm stress and sleep better

Emotional suppression, psychological stress, (21) and a lack of sleep are all linked in the medical literature to a reactivation of EBV. Start and end your day with mindfulness meditations – apps such as Headspace and Calm are great tools to try.

An amino acid called theanine (22) has also been shown to improve sleep and helps you to feel rested and rejuvenated when you wake up. Low-caffeine teas like white tea or decaf green tea are great food sources for this sleepy-time medicine. I have a cup every night.

9. Test for and address nutrient deficiencies

Low levels of iron, magnesium, (23), B12, and folate can all contribute to fatigue and weaken your immune system. Get labs to check your nutrient levels. If you don’t already, focus on eating a clean diet with a wide variety of nutrient-dense whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, organic meats, and healthy fats.

10. Try olive leaf

The extract from the olive leaf has demonstrated (24) powerful antiviral and antibacterial capabilities, even in the case of COVID-19.

11. Consider ashwagandha

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that this adaptogenic herb can increase (25) helpful immune cells and has next-level immunomodulatory effects. And since cortisol spikes (26) have been shown to also trigger a reactivation of EBV, ashwagandha is great because it has a balancing effect on this main stress hormone.

If you want to get a high-quality version of this adaptogen, check out The Ashwagandha, my curated blend.

12. Boost Vitamin C

An exciting study published in Medical Science Monitor found (27) that higher levels of vitamin C produced lower levels of EBV in people with mono and chronic fatigue syndrome. Check out this bioactive, absorbable form of Vitamin C, Brillian-C, if you're looking for a good supplement. 

13. Slay viruses with larrea tridentata

Try to say larrea tridentata three times fast! This traditional Native American medicine is the ancient antiviral medicine (28) of the desert.

Seeking help from a functional medicine expert

Navigating viral chronic fatigue can be overwhelming. Finding a qualified functional medicine practitioner to put the pieces of your health journey together can be invaluable to your health and well-being. You may need to try several different approaches before you find what works for you, but in my telehealth functional medicine clinic, my team and I work together to make make this happen more quickly and efficiently, as we look at your health case in its entirety to find holistic, long-term solutions rather than simply trying to put a bandaid over your symptoms. 

If you are struggling with unrelenting symptoms like fatigue and brain fog that you think are related to underlying viral infections, schedule a telehealth consultation today to learn more about how we can help you with functional medicine.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.

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