epstein barr

[shelly45]

I went to see allergist for my allergies and got skin test to see what I am allergic to but skin test came back with no allergies. He is still doing more allergy skin test next week but in the mean time he thinks my inmunne system is low. I have symptoms of low inmunne system,swollen lympth nodes, and fatigue( I can sleep 10 to 15 hours a day) so he tested me for epstein barr virus. I tested positve and I don't understand much of it. What does this mean-
Epstein Barr Cap IgG AB is H 6.33-interpretation-positive-reference range is 0.00 to 0.90
EBV Capsid AB,IgM is 0.10-interpretation-negetive
EBV Nuclear AG (EBNA) IGG is H >5.00-interpretation-positive-reference range is 0.00 to 0.90

Does this mean I really have the epstein virus?
Is there anything out there to help with fatigue?

I go back to the allergist/inmunno doctor next week about my positive test results. I can go tomorrow but I can't leave work early so appointment is set for early next week.

[LowMac]

shelly45

This is interesting to me because I am also seeking more info on EBV, also having tested positive for it and having same symptoms as you. I also have Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism, which I also believe was caused by EBV. Autoimmune thyroid runs in families and none of my family has had Hashimoto's, so I believe mono as a child and having high titers of EBNA, are the cause of it and also of neuro type symptoms I have in addition to fatigue and sore neck lymph nodes.
More medical research has been published in the past three years and especially in 2006, linking EBV to MS and other neurological disorders but more so in people with high elevations of the virus in their systems. As much as 80 to 95% of the population tests positive for EBV but some of us with compromised immune systems (immune deficiency), have the higher elevations and rish for neuro problems and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
My lab used a different type reference range but my EBNA result was "218" and the normal range was <20. In other words, the result would need to be below 20 to be negative and my result was over 10 times this.
I hope we both are able to get more answers because for many years Dr.s did not take EBV seriously but I don't how they can keep this attitude with all of the research recently done.
CAN ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE HELP SHELLY45 AND I WITH ANY ADDITIONAL INFO.?   THANKS EVERYONE!

[PlateletGal]

Any other symptoms --- do you wake up feeling refreshed ? Do you have muscle aches ? Do you have memory problems ? Do you catch every cold or flu bug that is going around ? Do you get severe headaches ?

[PlateletGal]

If you've had symptoms for over 6 months, you should talk to your physician about CFS.

SUMMARY OF INTERPRETATION

The diagnosis of EBV infection is summarized as follows:

Susceptibility
If antibodies to the viral capsid antigen are not detected, the patient is susceptible to EBV infection.

Primary Infection
Primary EBV infection is indicated if IgM antibody to the viral capsid antigen is present and antibody to EBV nuclear antigen, or EBNA, is absent. A rising or high IgG antibody to the viral capsid antigen and negative antibody to EBNA after at least 4 weeks of illness is also strongly suggestive of primary infection. In addition, 80% of patients with active EBV infection produce antibody to early antigen.

Past Infection
If antibodies to both the viral capsid antigen and EBNA are present, then past infection (from 4 to 6 months to years earlier) is indicated. Since 95% of adults have been infected with EBV, most adults will show antibodies to EBV from infection years earlier. High or elevated antibody levels may be present for years and are not diagnostic of recent infection.

Reactivation
In the presence of antibodies to EBNA, an elevation of antibodies to early antigen suggests reactivation. However, when EBV antibody to the early antigen test is present, this result does not automatically indicate that a patient's current medical condition is caused by EBV. A number of healthy people with no symptoms have antibodies to the EBV early antigen for years after their initial EBV infection. Many times reactivation occurs subclinically.

Chronic EBV Infection
Reliable laboratory evidence for continued active EBV infection is very seldom found in patients who have been ill for more than 4 months. When the illness lasts more than 6 months, it should be investigated to see if other causes of chronic illness or CFS are present.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ebv.htm

[shelly45]

I do have problems with my inmunne system so I do catch every cold or bug around. I was diagnose with severe gastroparesis 4 years ago and have flare ups. This was caused by a virus. They now think that the virus was epstein barr that caused the gastroparesis but I won't know until next week when I go see the doctor. Somebody told me at work that they heard epstein barr virus and gastroparesis are linked together some how (I work in healthcare field) and found an article she will give it to me on Monday to bring it to the doctor's appointment. I am just hoping that this is my true link to my cause of gastroparesis and we can get it all under control. I hope that my inmunne system improve so I can have a better fall/winter this year. Also this fatigue started asround the same time as gastroparesis started so it could be chronic fatigue syndrome or something. I will know more on Monday I see my pcp because she just found out it came back positive and she called me today to see her on Monday about the findings so her and allergist/inmuno doctor could work together on what to do next.

[PlateletGal]

Hi Shelly,

Just to let you know the latest research shows that CFS isn't necessarily caused by EBV --- it could be a number of viruses and/or multiple infections. Your immune system could just be worn down right now. One test your physician may want to order on you is immunoglobins -- IgA test.

Good luck. One thing you may try is seeing a Naturopathic physician. They tend to spend a lot more time with their patients' and IMO... know a lot about these immune conditions and seem to understand it more. They always know how to treat these things as well. One thing that may give you a boost of energy is buying raw & unfiltered apple cider vinegar and adding 2T to your water. I do this and I swear it gives me a boost (and I have CFS !) You can do some research online about this. I know it has helped me. It has to be the raw and unfiltered stuff though... Bragg's is the brand that sells it.

I hope you feel better soon.

[LowMac]

Shelly45,

As I related on another Medhelp forum, where I asked a Dr. questions in regard to another area of symptoms I have with this, I use unusual methods to get input on concerns I have. On the other forum I didn't mention EBV at all, just to see what particular symptoms I have might mean.
I've actually done a great amount of reseach for over four years on EBV and as PlateletGal relates, EBV is not the only proposed cause of CFS, there are other viruses that may also cause it, such as chlamydia pneumonia but some research also states that autoimmune diseases, chronic stress, etc... are all possible triggers. EBV however, is the virus most often found in CFS patients but could also be because such a large percent of the population tests postive for it.
More search linking EBV to not only CFS but also MS, has been conducted since 2003 and especially a more significant study released just last year (2006), which further confirms hoe serious the virus can be. Some resarch also concludes EBV to be a cause of certain type of cancer.
Most sources, even reputable ones like the CDC, in the past, provide information on EBV, only as it related to actual mononucleosis and when they refer to "reactivation", they are actually referring to reactivation of mono, that can happen within months of having EBV virus, with or without initial mono manifestations. I feel with the more recent research, this view will be changing.
When you get a chance, read these links:

"Therefore the authors believe that it is important recognize that EBV can cause a myriad of neurological illness with or without the stigmata of infectious mononucleosis and recommend the need to suspect this infection in any acute