Epstein-Barr Virus (EPV)
Overview
EBV is a herpes virus that is widespread in all human populations. Infection usually occurs in childhood but if delayed until adolescence can result in infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever). EBV is distantly related to other herpes viruses like herpes simplex (the cause of cold sores) or varicella-zoster e (the cause of chicken pox). Like them, EBV can replicate fully in epithelial cells, in this case in pharyngeal cells lining the inner mucosal surfaces of the mouth and nose.
Unlike other herpes viruses, EBV has a unique set of growth activating genes which it uses to establish a latent growth-transforming infection of its main target cell, the B lymphocyte. The growth of latently-infected B cells is normally controlled by the host immune response, particularly the T cell response, and so the great majority of people are able to carry this potentially dangerous virus all their life without any ill effect. However, in some individuals EBV can trigger chronic illness, including immune and lymphoproliferative syndromes. It is a particular danger to people with compromised immune systems, including those with AIDS. Also known as human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4).
The virus occurs worldwide, and most people become infected with EBV sometime during their lives. In the United States, as many as 95% of adults between 35 and 40 years of age have been infected. Infants become susceptible to EBV as soon as maternal antibody protection (present at birth) disappears. Many children become infected with EBV, and these infections usually cause no symptoms or are indistinguishable from the other mild, brief illnesses of childhood. In the United States and in other developed countries, many persons are not infected with EBV in their childhood years. When infection with EBV occurs during adolescence or young adulthood, it causes infectious mononucleosis 35% to 50% of the time.
The virus was first discovered in 1964 when Sir Michael Anthony Epstein and Yvonne Barr found it in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line. In 1968, the virus was linked to the disease infectious mononucleosis. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is very common and usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood. In fact, up to 95% of people in the U.S. have been infected with EBV. EBV is the cause of infectious mononucleosis (also termed “mono”), an illness associated with fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and sometimes an enlarged spleen. Less commonly, EBV can cause more serious disease. Symptoms caused by EBV are usually mild and self-limited, but the virus persists in the body for life. It can reactivate quietly without causing symptoms and may contaminate saliva. Thus, otherwise healthy people can spread the virus to uninfected people through kissing or sharing food. Hence, mononucleosis is sometimes known as the “kissing disease.” EBV probably plays a role in the development of some cancers including certain lymphomas and nasopharyngeal cancer.
Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are
- fever
- sore throat
- swollen lymph glands.
Sometimes, a swollen spleen or liver involvement may develop. Heart problems or involvement of the central nervous system occurs only rarely, and infectious mononucleosis is almost never fatal. There are no known associations between active EBV infection and problems during pregnancy, such as miscarriages or birth defects. Although the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually resolve in 1 or 2 months, EBV remains dormant or latent in a few cells in the throat and blood for the rest of the person’s life. Periodically, the virus can reactivate and is commonly found in the saliva of infected persons. This reactivation usually occurs without symptoms of illness.
EBV also establishes a lifelong dormant infection in some cells of the body’s immune system. A late event in a very few carriers of this virus is the emergence of Burkitt’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, two rare cancers that are not normally found in the United States. EBV appears to play an important role in these malignancies, but is probably not the sole cause of disease.
The incubation period, or the time from infection to appearance of symptoms, ranges from 4 to 6 weeks. Persons with infectious mononucleosis may be able to spread the infection to others for a period of weeks.
It is important to note that symptoms related to infectious mononucleosis caused by EBV infection seldom last for more than 4 months. When such an illness lasts more than 6 months, it is frequently called chronic EBV infection. However, valid laboratory evidence for continued active EBV infection is seldom found in these patients. The illness should be investigated further to determine if it meets the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS. This process includes ruling out other causes of chronic illness or fatigue.
Most cases of glandular fever are caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the most common viruses to affect humans. Most EBV infections are thought to take place during childhood and cause mild symptoms. However, if a person develops an EBV infection during early adulthood, they can develop symptoms of glandular fever. Glandular fever is spread through saliva. It can be spread through:
kissing (it is often referred to as the “kissing disease”)
exposure to coughs and sneezes
sharing eating and drinking utensils, such as cups, glasses and unwashed forks and spoons
Someone with glandular fever is contagious for at least two months after initially being infected with EBV. However, some people can have EBV in their saliva for up to 18 months after having the infection. A few may continue to have the virus in their saliva on and off for years.
Once you have had glandular fever, it is highly unlikely you will develop a second bout of the infection. This is because almost everyone develops a life-long immunity to glandular fever after the initial infection.
EBV is a contagious virus that spreads from person to person and occurs throughout the world. The virus contains double-stranded DNA and multiplies in human lymphocytes (lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell) and other cells, such as those lining the mouth, tongue, and nose.
The human immune system usually contains the virus effectively, reducing but not eliminating the viruses. A few living viruses persist in a line of lymphocytes for the rest of the person’s life. This is known as “latent” infection. Occasionally, the virus may multiply (reactivate), but this does not cause symptoms unless the person’s immune system is not working properly.
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Healthy eating is of primary importance. Drink plenty of pure filtered water and increase your intake of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and complex whole grains, as well as organic, free-range meats, poultry, and wild-caught fish that are rich in essential fatty acids, such as sardines and salmon.
Drink plenty of pure water and avoid excessive animal proteins. Also eat four to six smaller meals throughout the day and avoid overeating at each meal. For best results, eat as many raw foods as possible, especially sprouts, seeds, and nuts. Avoid processed foods, soft drinks, sugar, caffeine, white flour products, and fried foods.
Before retiring, take several bites of complex carbohydrate foods (crackers, potatoes, pasta, etc.) along with several bites of a non-animal protein (nut butter, yogurt, cheese, seeds, etc.) along with a large glass of pure water or warm herbal tea.
It is important to not add further toxicity to your system so try to adhere to the following:
- Do not consume any artificial sweeteners, such as Splenda, NutraSweet or Aspartame
- Do not consume high fructose corn syrup or mono-sodium glutamate.
- Do not drink any carbonated beverages.
- Avoid all fast food restaurants.
- Avoid all canned food.
- Eliminate conventional dairy products. The best dairy products are raw, unpasteurised and homogenised dairy from grass fed cows. If this is unavailable, then buy organic dairy.
- Avoid conventional beef. The best beef is organic grass fed beef. www.grasslandbeef.com/StoreFront.bok?affld=104400 The second best is organic meat; this includes beef, veal, lamb, chicken and turkey.
- Avoid wheat and wheat products.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine and tobacco.
- Do not eat saturated, trans-, hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated fats and oils. Instead choose from extra virgin olive oil, high lignin flax seed oil, and unrefined hemp seed, walnut, and sunflower oils.
- Eliminate conventional dairy products. The best dairy products are raw, unpasteurised and homogenised dairy from grass fed cows. If this is unavailable, then buy organic dairy.
- Foods high in the amino acid arginine should be avoided, since arginine can trigger more frequent herpes outbreaks. Such foods include almonds, peanuts, and other nuts and seeds, including sesame and sunflower seeds, coconut, chocolate, wheat and wheat byproducts, soy, lentils, oats, corn, rice, barley, tomatoes, and squash
- Avoid acid producing foods, such as citrus fruits, including tomatoes, during outbreaks, as these foods will increase the severity of herpes outbreaks.
- Undergo testing for potential food allergies and sensitivities and avoid those foods to which you test positive, as these can reduce immune function. Consider a rotation diet or elimination diet in order to further reduce the likelihood of food allergies.
Nutrition and diet are key players in the healing and elimination of imbalance and disease. For a complete, nutrition packed, whole foods eating plan, read the Whole Foods Diet. In many cases, a raw food eating plan can be extremely beneficial. To learn more, read Raw Food Diet. You can print out these full articles for easy reference.
Supplements:
- Take Vitamin D3 50,000-100,000 International Units a day for periods of 4 weeks at a time.
- Wholefood supplements are the best way of ensuring your nutritional needs are met. The best we know on the market is Kevin Trudeau’s “KT Daily” product. You can find more details here kevintrudeaudailylifesessentials.com/
- Take an Omega 3 supplement:
The following nutrients can be helpful: vitamin A, B-complex, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin C, zinc, adrenal glandular extract, quercitin, and the amino acid lysine. Lauric acid, known as monolaurin, is also useful for preventing outbreaks. Avoid any supplement that contains the amino acid arginine.
Prescription and non-prescription medication:
What non-prescription and prescription drugs are you taking? Your non-prescription and prescription are partially the reason that you have this illness or disease – you need to get off these medications but do so only under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner.
We know that when the body is out of balance, energy doesn’t flow, leading blockages and eventually dis-ease. Here are some things you can do to combat stress and restore balance:
- Go to a Dr Morter BEST (Bio-Energetic Synchronisation Technique) Practitioner.
- Sign up for Energetic Re-Balancing: 2 practitioners to consider are:
- Stephen Lewis, founder of the Aim Program. Find out more by clicking here.
- . Find out more by clicking here.
- Consider using Mary Millers Iching System Products – ichingsystemsinstruments.com
- Reiki healing is very powerful in releasing stress and emotional baggage. Find a practitioner here.
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has had remarkable results in dissolving stress. Find a local practitioner here (link) or go to www.thetappingsolution.com orwww.tftrx.com
- Try Hypnotherapy to relax the mind. Find a practitioner here.
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Healing with Honey articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/08/07/honey-works-better-than-drugs-for-herpes.aspx
EFT cures Herpes articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/07/26/eft-herpes.aspx
Natural treatment for Herpes: www.tequestafamilypractice.com/articles/Herpes_CAM.pdf
The root causes of mononucleosis explained www.naturalnews.com/024788_fatigue_chronic_syndrome.html
Traditional Chinese Medicine – Ancient Healing www.naturalcures.com/healthblog/traditional_chinese_ancient_healing.php
The best way to cleansing and purification of the body www.naturalcures.com/recommends/
Mother Nature’s Natural Germ Fighters naturalhealthdossier.com/2012/03/mother-natures-natural-germ-fighters/
Immune health www.naturalcures.com/Members/newsletters/pdfs/NC_Newsletter_07-11.pdf
Squeaky Clean (Colonic Irrigation) www.naturalcures.com/squeaky-clean
Colloidal Silver www.naturalcures.com/Members/newsletters/pdfs/NC_Newsletter_09-08.pdf
Heal Your Body and Raise Your Consciousness – Qigong www.naturalcures.com/Members/newsletters/pdfs/NC_Newsletter_12-08.pdf
Health Care that Won’t Cost You a Single Penny – EFT www.naturalcures.com/Members/newsletters/pdfs/NC_Newsletter_12-06.pdf
Become Master of Your Mind – taking charge of your reaction to stress www.naturalcures.com/Members/newsletters/pdfs/NC_Newsletter_12-10.pdf
Jump for Joy – Rebounding is a great stress busting workout www.naturalcures.com/Members/newsletters/pdfs/NC_Newsletter_12-10.pdf
Hypnotherapy for stress management – why it is so effective www.naturalcures.com
Video
EFT for treating disease www.garythink.com/eft/physicial.html
Treatment for Herpes – Natural: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE7hQ0nsSwo
Bach Flower Remedies for Treating Herpes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBbsfZURykQ
Natural Cure for Herpes Part 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcSRGNx0GZU
Research
Homeopathic treatment for Herpes: iadr.confex.com/iadr/latin05/preliminaryprogram/abstract_93979.htm
Herbal Mixtures Aid Recovery Time for Herpes Sufferers: online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2006.6297?prevSearch=allfield%253A%2528herpes%2529&searchHistoryKey=
Coconut Oil and mononucleosis: www.naturalnews.com/026624_oil_coconut.html
Elderberry and Epstein-Barr: www.naturalnews.com/025019_elderberry_flu_colds.html
Further Information (links and books)
Book – The One Minute Cure www.thecancercurevideo.com/index-ktrn.html
Herpes
Larrea, Eclectic Institute
www.eclecticherb.com (800) 332-4372
Lysine, Super Lysine+
www.quantumhealth.com (800) 448-1448
Red marine algae
www.pureplanet.com (562) 951-1124
Gently wash with food grade hydrogen peroxide
www.familyhealthnews.com (800) 284-6263
Soft Laser Therapy, Q1000 Soft Laser
www.softlasertherapy.org (803) 955-0178
Shegoi
The Wolfe Clinic
Larrea
Essential Oils
Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics by John McKenna
The Healing Power of Nature Foods: 50 Revitalizing Superfoods & Lifestyle Choices To Promote Vibrant Health by Susan Smith Jones
Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville and Mindi Green
Detox and revitalize by Susana L. Belen
Colloidal Silver: The Natural Antibiotic Alternative by Zane Baranowski
The Secret Language of Your Body by Inna Segal
The Healing Herbs: The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature’s Medicines by Michael Castleman and Prevention Magazine
Andrea Butje | Aromahead [email protected] – aromatherapy
Carrie Vitt [email protected] – organic food recipes.
David Spector-NSR/USA [email protected] – meditation, stress
judith hoad [email protected] – herbalist.
Kath May [email protected] – reiki, tai chi.
Lillian Bridges [email protected] – Chinese medicine, living naturally.
Monika [email protected] – aromatherapy.
Rakesh [email protected] – Ayurvedic Practitioner.
Joanne Callaghan – [email protected] www.RogerCallahan.com Thought Field Therapy (TF) releasing unresolved emotions, stress and illness.
Trusted products
Clean well – Natural Cleaning Products
EMF necklace – blocker and stress reducing pendant