This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Hello. I'm Paul Auwaerter with Medscape Infectious Diseases, speaking from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
There have been two recent papers that have brought Epstein-Barr virus, otherwise known as EBV, into an interesting mix of whether it may be a cause of autoimmune illnesses or prolonged fatigue after COVID-19.
As a long-time student of infectious mononucleosis, which for decades was unexplained, it's interesting looking back at history that the link to EBV was due to an accidental lab-based infection where a lab worker became infected and subsequently developed an infectious mononucleosis–type illness. That link was solidly established in 1967.
Through the 1970s and 1980s, EBV was often thought of as a cause of fatigue and other subjective symptoms, so-called chronic EBV. To this day, in my infectious diseases practice, it's not uncommon that serologic profiles of EBV are checked and patients are referred with a request of whether their EBV is a cause of their symptoms of pain, fatigue, poor sleep, or brain fog, and if there are any interventions worth of note.
Over the years, there hadn't been much credible evidence to link other than the general serologic evidence that most adults (historically, it's always been thought 95% of people) by the time they're 40, are infected with EBV.
New Pandemic Peril? Pretending It's Over as Case Numbers Rise
COMMENTARY
Is the Epstein-Barr Virus Associated With COVID-19?
Paul G. Auwaerter, MD
DisclosuresMarch 17, 2022
This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Hello. I'm Paul Auwaerter with Medscape Infectious Diseases, speaking from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
There have been two recent papers that have brought Epstein-Barr virus, otherwise known as EBV, into an interesting mix of whether it may be a cause of autoimmune illnesses or prolonged fatigue after COVID-19.
As a long-time student of infectious mononucleosis, which for decades was unexplained, it's interesting looking back at history that the link to EBV was due to an accidental lab-based infection where a lab worker became infected and subsequently developed an infectious mononucleosis–type illness. That link was solidly established in 1967.
Through the 1970s and 1980s, EBV was often thought of as a cause of fatigue and other subjective symptoms, so-called chronic EBV. To this day, in my infectious diseases practice, it's not uncommon that serologic profiles of EBV are checked and patients are referred with a request of whether their EBV is a cause of their symptoms of pain, fatigue, poor sleep, or brain fog, and if there are any interventions worth of note.
Over the years, there hadn't been much credible evidence to link other than the general serologic evidence that most adults (historically, it's always been thought 95% of people) by the time they're 40, are infected with EBV.
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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Paul G. Auwaerter. Is the Epstein-Barr Virus Associated With COVID-19? - Medscape - Mar 17, 2022.
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Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author(s)
Paul G. Auwaerter, MD
Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Clinical Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Disclosure: Paul G. Auwaerter, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Served as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Infectious Diseases Society of America (volunteer) Board of Directors; US Food and Drug Administration
Received a research grant from: Cerexa
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Medicolegal expert (various)