The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) belongs to the herpes virus family and is one of the most common human viruses. The CDC points out that most people become infected with EBV at some point in their lives. The virus can lead to a range of different illnesses and research, according to the CDC, suggesting that it may be linked to more illnesses than first assumed. Chronic symptoms of EBV may appear in the form of other illnesses, like mononucleosis (mono).
Basic Symptoms of Mono
Common symptoms of mono may include fever, sore throat and swollen lymph glads, as indicated by the CDC. In rare cases, the CDC suggests that mono can lead to an enlarged liver or spleen. Other rare symptoms of mono can be heart problems or central nervous system dysfunction, but the CDC suggests that these complications are rare. Mono usually lasts one or two months, but it can last beyond four months. The CDC warns that the virus stays dormant in a person's body for life and it may reactivate later in life. Mono that lasts six months or more is diagnosed as chronic EBV infection. The symptoms that last this long are usually consistent with mono but may also lead to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) points out that infants and children who contract the virus may have normal illnesses that are not recognized as related to EBV. Pregnant women may have an increased risk of miscarriage or of delivering a baby with birth defects, explains the NLM.
Other Symptoms
Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus Support, at CEBV.org, suggests numerous symptoms of chronic EBV. They explain that many of these symptoms are misdiagnosed or that the virus contributes to the development of other such ailments. Examples include aggression, allergies, anxiety, cold sweats, confusion, decreased alertness, decreased libido, reduced motor skills, minimized stress tolerance, depression, trouble concentrating, trouble completing mathematics or other reasoning tasks, trouble urinating, discomfort after sexual activity, dry cough, earaches, excessive worrying, severe fatigue, fever, headaches, hostility, hypersomnia, increased nasal congestion and dripping, irritability, insomnia, ringing of the ears, shingles, paranoia, sore throat, sore muscles, joint soreness, tremors, light sensitivity, mood swings, mild delusions and/or migraines.
EBV and Cancer
The CDC explains that EBV becomes a permanent part of some cells in the immune system. They suggest that it may play an important role in the development of Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which are two rare cancers.
