ebv and rash

I'm getting this rash all over my chest which looks like a maculopapular rash. It looks reddish and flat and small in size. I'm also getting a little bit of it on my back. Can this be associated with EBV? Is this common with EBV infection. It's already been 6 months and this rashes just started showing up recently. Although it shows up in one or 2 at a time per week only. Did you guys experience any rashes also? And if so, how does it look like and how long did it last? Thank you very much in advance and i hope any of you guys can help me because i'm really worried. BTW "Happy New Year" to everybody.  

[PlateletGal]

Happy New Year ! If your rash is a maculopapular rash, the cause could be the Epstein Barr Virus. There are other possible causes as well, including mono, parvovirus B19, herpes virus 6, adult T cell leukemia and vasculitis.

Are you being treated for EBV ? Is the rash your only symptom ?

[talon90]

Thanks PlateletGal for your reponse. Actually, I'm not being treated for EBV. I'm just basically taking natural multivitamins and my Infectious Disease MD just told me to wait for my symptoms to subside over time. BTW about my symptoms I've been experiencing for about 6 months already. I have stiff neck, hears ringing in my ears with a sensation of cabin pressure, feels fatigue during the middle of the day usually by 3PM, stomach feels bloated and churning, night sweats during the early course but not anymore, headache, had diarrhea for about 5 days, burning sensation once in awhile on my feet (i don't know if it's peripheral neuropathy), and i feel like i have a lump on the side of my neck. I never had fever or lymphadenopathy though. I just got concerned about these rashes because it seems like it just showed up.

[PlateletGal]

IMO.... your physician is wrong. It angers me when these physicians tell patients that their symptoms should subside over time, especially when 10% of people after having mono... end up with a CFS diagnosis. The CDC's own website says "when the illness (EBV) lasts more than 6 months, it should be investigated to see if other causes of chronic illness or CFS are present."

Ringing in the ears... digestion problems.... fatigue.....night sweats..... headache are ALL common in patients who have CFS (what I have) and the burning sensations are common in patients who have fibromyalgia.

The lump in your neck needs to be elevated. If it is a lymph node... consider having a biopsy done on it.

IMO... you have a successive infection and you certainly could have CFS and/or fibromyalgia. It is very important to get treated right away (that is what the CFS/fibro experts are saying). There is treatment and I hope that you will join us in the fibro/CFS forum and check out our health pages. I have added names and links to some of the best fibro and CFS in the world.

Fibro/CFS forum:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/44?personal_page_id=1064

Health Pages:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=39

[ginak]

Hello all,

Now that I think about all of this, all of my symptoms started with a rash. As of last week, I got another rash in a different location, but similar to the rash from before. I wonder if this would have anything to do with all of my other neurological symptoms? I have a rheumy appt and I really hope I can get some answers.

[PlateletGal]

I've read that 40% of CFS patients get a "flushing rash of the face and cheeks". Is that where your rash is ? If so.... it could be due to CFS (or EBV) ----- or if you are having joint pain... possibly lupus. (although joint pain is present in 65% of CFS patients)

I know... confusing. Fortunately this new blood test for CFS is supposed to be out in a year or so.

PlateletGal (crossing my fingers !)

[talon90]

Hello,

What does your rash looks like? Do you have it on your chest too? Is it a lot or just a couple?

[Mist8ken]

I am experiencing the exact same symptoms you are.  I know how this feels!  I wish my doctor never told me that "everyone has these levels of EBV in their blood"!  Ridiculous.  I thought I was going to go crazy, especially with the flushed red hands/face type (rash?) symptoms.  Can't wait to read up on these forums!  It has been just over a year for me and it seems up and down to clear this.  Take care and take it easy.

[ginak]

My rashes keep coming on my neck. the first one was in the clavicle area and the 2 that I have now are on the left side of my neck under my jaw line. Sometimes its itcy, other times not itchy, but still very present.

[talon90]

I'm also experiencing some burning sensation on my tongue like i just drank a hot  soup. It doesn't look like i have white tongue or any lesions though when i check it out in the mirror. Is this also a symptom of EBV? Does anyone also experience this?

[jason80]

Hi talon90,
I have all of the symptoms you listed, plus a couple of other ones.You can see my list on my profile.

My "rash" might be a strong word for it, but I have a bunch of little pumps with general redness in my chest area. It is bilaterally symmetric. Above my cheeks also tends to be more red.

Sporadically, I also get a little bump that itches like a mosquito bite and turns red for ~ 30min to 1hr that is about 1 inch round in different locations, usually in my neck area but anywhere above my waist. The redness shows up even if I don't scratch at all.

Can you describe your rash more.  

I have a few dx at this point. I am high for HSV-1 and EBV (slightly). ID thinks my illness maybe due to this.

[talon90]

Hi jason80,

Thanks for sharing your experiences to me and being very helpful. I'm like thinking that i may be the only one that has this symptom.

Anyway, my rash looks like of 2 different features. One type is just flat and reddish and small in size and it turns a little dark through time. The 2nd type is like a little pimple (bigger than the first one), red, raised with a liitle whitish on the tip. Somehow, these rashes doesn't disappear. It's like a permanent blemish on the skin. Once in a while, i get a little bit of red spots on my face and cheeks but these ones fortunately dissipates through time. Most of my rashes are on my upper chest and i have a little bit on my upper back. Somehow the ones on my chest are more localized together while the ones on my back are more dispersed. Right now while typing this, i just discovered one on my back that was really itchy at first then not anymore and its the little bumpy red kind.

Thank you and I hope you will feel a lot better.  

[Ree4tu]

I was recently diagnosed with reactivated EBV (extremely elevated levels) and HHV-6 (slightly elevated).  I think it has been reactivated for a year now. Prior to discovering this, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia.  I have the stiff neck, ear ringing, muscle twitches, swollen glands, sore throats, fevers, burning pain, tingling in my fingers and toes and just recently broke out in a rash on my back and chest.  I have had the rash for two months now.  It is my understanding that viruses affect nerve endings and can cause some neurological problems.
I believe after 6 mths it is considered Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  There is a lot a doctor can do to treat these viruses and boost the immune system. Why many don't, is disgraceful. Don't let it go especially if it is getting worse. Move on from this doctor if he is not adequately treating you.

Warmest Regards,
Ree4tu

[turbo880]

hello,i would like to ask how u doing?im suffering more then 5months now and i have all that symptoms.would like to talk to someone ho been in same situation.thanks  

[Mag000]

My experience says that everyone who suspects EBV reactivation in any way - or has been diagnosed with CFS and/or fibromyalgia needs to get to a naturopath or anyone else who actually knows how to test for and diagnose an EBV reactivation. CFS and fibromyalgia are syndromes.  EBV is a viral disease and can be treated.  Five rheumatologists and at least that many doctors all said I had lupus, fibro, and CFS 20 years ago.  Two years ago, a naturopath took one look at my ANA pattern (antibodies) and said "I don't think this is a lupus pattern.  I think it's an EBV pattern."
I didn't even  know I'd  had Mono, but a simple blood test revealed the standard lingering number.  Anyone whose ever had it will carry that marker.   For insurance purposes, he wrote down the more complicated   test I needed for my regular MD to order to confirm a reactivation. (She had no idea what it was, but agreed to order it.)  Two week on the protocol of Lysine, Monolaurin, and Astra-Isatis and all my pain was gone, I had the energy I had 20 years ago, and felt like a new person.  I relapse on occasion so have to stay on a "basic" program, but had I not stumbled onto this fabulous ND (a teacher at Bastyr University in Seattle) I would still be a mess.  At 70 I can hold my own with my kids, grandkids, and everyone at work.  I still ski and do cartwheels.  Be aggressive!  Even with my unending quest to find out what was wrong with me, it took me 20 years to stumble on someone who could help me.  It's so sad that this has to happen.  Why are traditional doctors so terribly unaware of this very simple, but devastating virus.