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By Audrey Kruse

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Throughout this board, there are links to resources where more information can be found.  For a quick overview of EBV, Mono, and the latency process, watch the linked video in the previous post!

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This graphic illustrates how the virus infects the host and causes illness and then will remain latent until it is reactivated at which point, it will cause another round of illness.  This image is a snapshot from this video by Professor Dave Explains.

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Julia Rühl

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Julia is an immuno-oncologist from Switzerland.  She was one of the authors of the previously mentioned article.  Find more about her on her LinkedIn profile.

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The main candidates are designed to stimulate either T-cells or antibodies that target already infected cells.  From the article, the most effective method so far has been the use of EBV-derived virus-like particles in pre-clinical trials.

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The best way to prevent infection is to avoid individuals known to be infected, however, this can be difficult because of the way that the virus remains latent in the body.  Therefore, the only way to prevent it is to entirely avoid sharing food, drinks, chapsticks, etc. with others.  If you are a parent, it is also important to monitor your children or babies to make sure that they don’t share slobbery toys or pacifiers with other children, as difficult as that might be.

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Since the symptoms of Mono look very similar to a lot of other common illnesses, it’s hard to diagnose the disease.  The only way to properly diagnose it is to take an antibody blood test that can tell if there has been an infection, but it cannot tell if that infection is current or past.

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The virus is transmitted through bodily fluids such as semen and blood, but is usually associated with saliva.  This means that it is spread easily through kissing or sexual contact, sharing food and drinks, personal hygiene items, or even children’s toys covered in drool.  An infected individual is able to spread the virus even before they experience any symptoms.  As a member of the herpes family, it will stay dormant in the body and can reactivate or flare up throughout the individual’s life which means that they could transmit it even years after their initial infection.

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Scientists are working toward developing a vaccination for EBV.  They are looking at various ways to either protect individuals from initial infection or to minimize the effects that an individual experiences after infection since the virus remains in the body in a latent(dormant) state.  The graphic included below illustrates some of the possible approaches to creating an effective vaccine.  Read more from this study Here.

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CDC Info Page

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There is no current vaccine available, but scientists are working to find one.  Also, since it is a viral infection, there is no real “cure” for it.  There is only symptom relief which would include all of the same practices as treating a common cold or flu such as staying well hydrated, resting, and taking over the counter medications to relieve pain and fever.

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Symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, fever, swollen lymphs in the neck, enlarged spleen or liver, and rash.  Children with the virus likely won’t experience symptoms or they will be very mild.  Adults, however, are likely to experience the fatigue for weeks or even months.

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The disease caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus is called infectious mononucleosis (AKA Mono).  An estimated 9/10 people will be infected at some point in their lives.  Here is an image of the virus particle from Medical News Today:

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The Epstein-Barr Virus is also known as the human herpesvirus 4, so it is a part of the herpes family.  This virus infects the host and causes a variety of problems.  It is known to cause infectious mononucleosis, but studies have been finding it to potentially cause increased vulnerability to certain cancers throughout the body.  At this point, there is no vaccine or “cure” for the infection, but the search for one has been underway for quite some time since it is one of the most common human viral infections.