MS and HHV 6

Posted by Linda on April 16, 1999 at 09:16:10
I would like your opinion on MS and HHV  6.  Are you using any of the anti virals to treat MS patients that I have been reading so much about.  I understand they are really helping with their symptons.

Posted by CCF Neuro MD msf on April 16, 1999 at 13:47:07
Dear Linda,
Thank you for your question, which has been a "hot topic" for MS patients this year. We are not using routinely antiviral treatments in MS. The idea that MS could be caused by a virus has been an area of research for many years. Despite some promising results, none of the numerous viruses investigated has been identified as the cause of MS. The most recently discussed, HHV6, is a widespread virus. A majority of people have been exposed to it, and have antibodies against it, although they don't have MS. We don't think there is enough evidence to link directly HHV6 to MS, except in some exceptional cases. And even if a virus could trigger MS, we think that, most likely, the virus is not present any more at the time MS is diagnosed. For this reason, until further evidence is provided, we don't think antiviral medications, which are potentially toxic, should be routinely used in MS. This is in summary the answer we have been giving to our patients when they asked us the same question. I hope you will find this helpful. Of course, the whole MS community is working hard to find a cure to this disease.