What causes Epstein-Barr?

While anyone can become infected with Epstein-Barr, studies have found (11) that certain factors can increase your risk of coming in contact and becoming infected with this virus.

• Age: EBV infections are more common among teenagers and young adults. 
• Close contact: Direct contact with saliva, such as kissing or sharing utensils, drinks, or personal items, increases the likelihood of contracting EBV, since the virus spreads through saliva.
• Weak immune system: Individuals with weakened immune systems due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation, certain medications (such as immunosuppressants), or other illnesses are more susceptible to EBV infection and potential complications.
• Living conditions: People living in a crowded environment like a college dormitory or military barrack, can increase the risk of exposure and transmission of the virus.
• Genetics: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition that makes them more susceptible to developing complications from EBV infection.
• Gender: Women are more likely to experience mono compared to men.
• Sexual activity: People who are sexually active and have had multiple partners are more likely to experience EBV infection.
• Geographical location: People who live in a tropical country are more likely to become infected since EBV can spread easier in these environments.

With all this being said, even if you do become infected that doesn’t mean you will experience any long-term complications or further health problems from EBV infection. Under normal conditions, your immune system is designed to keep the virus in its dormant state and prevent it from becoming an active infection. However, various factors can trigger the reactivation of EBV by weakening your immune system and causing the virus to become active again. Some key factors that may contribute to EBV reactivation include:

• Stress: Psychological stress has been shown (12) to impact immune function and contribute to EBV reactivation.
• Infections: Concurrent infections or illnesses, particularly those that affect the immune system, can trigger EBV reactivation. One study found that COVID-19 infection could trigger (13) dormant EBV infections.
• Hormone imbalances: Fluctuations in hormone levels, such as those occurring during puberty, pregnancy, or menstruation, can potentially influence (14) EBV reactivation.
• Poor lifestyle habits: Inadequate sleep, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to EBV reactivation.
• Underlying health conditions: Certain gut health problems like ulcerative colitis (15) or other chronic health problems can compromise your immune system and make you more prone to EBV reactivation.
• Toxin exposure: Exposure to environmental toxins, xenobiotics, (16) or pollutants may also contribute to immune system suppression, potentially allowing EBV to reactivate.

Natural tools to treat EBV

In conventional medicine, there is no single treatment for EBV. Patients are either told to wait it out or may be given medications to address their pain or other associated symptoms. Instead of just managing symptoms, functional medicine aims to strengthen your immune system to help put EBV into remission and your symptoms as a result. 

So whether you are struggling from symptoms of an acute EBV infection or an autoimmune condition as a result of EBV reactivation, these are some of the tools we utilize in my telehealth functional medicine clinic to address EBV.

1. Try natural medicines

A 2023 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (17) found that some dietary compounds have powerful antiviral activity against EBV. You can find these in certain foods and in supplement form. 

• Curcumin 
• Epigallocatechin gallate
• Resveratrol
• Moronic acid
• Andrographolide

2. Take Vitamins C + D

An exciting study published in Medical Science Monitor found (18) that higher levels of vitamin C produced lower levels of EBV in people with mono and chronic fatigue syndrome with another study showing that Vitamin D was able to bring down (19) Epstein-Barr antibodies in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

3. Manage stress levels

Since stress and chronically high cortisol levels are key triggers of EBV reactivation, it’s vital to alleviate stress as much as possible. Do this through stress management techniques like meditation and deep breathing techniques as well as cortisol-balancing supplements like ashwagandha.

4. Heal your gut

A Microbiology Spectrum (20) study found that EBV can increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in your gut leading to bacterial dysbiosis and the development of autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis. Since your gut is the foundation of your entire health and houses the majority of your immune system, keep EBV at bay by healing your gut with tools like daily probiotics and gut-healing superfoods like bone broth. For a complete guide to healing your gut, check out my article here. 

Seeking help from a functional medicine expert

If you think EBV could be a factor in your health case, I recommend seeking out help from a functional medicine practitioner who is familiar with addressing EBV. Not only can they run viral labs to assess an active or past infection, they can run additional labs to determine if there are any other underlying health problems contributing to your health problems such as gut dysfunctions, hormone imbalances, toxin load, and more. In my telehealth functional medicine clinic we take a comprehensive approach to your health to put together personalized action plans tailored to your specific needs.

​​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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