Multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory disease of the nervous system, could possibly be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, according to the study.
The so-called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is now widespread worldwide, over 95 percent of the world’s population is infected with the virus. In many cases, infection occurs without severe symptoms. In some cases, however, infection with EBV, which belongs to the herpes virus family, can lead to a disease, especially in adolescents and young adults: lymphatic glandular fever or so-called “glandular fever”, named after the pediatrician Emil Pfeiffer.
The results of a US study confirm a long-suspected connection: the Epstein-Barr virus could promote the development of multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis – the disease of 1000 faces
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is therefore called the disease of 1000 faces, since the numerous symptoms and their severity can be so different for those affected. MS causes inflammation and breakdown of the nerve-protecting myelin sheath at various points in the central nervous system. In Germany there are around 240,000 people with an MS diagnosis, around 75 percent of whom are women. In Europe there are around 700,000 people affected, worldwide around 2.5 million.
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Multiple sclerosis can occur at a young age, from the age of 20. The most typical symptoms of MS can be:
- Sensory disturbances in the arms and/or legs: statistically the most common, in 30 to 50 percent of those affected
- Inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis), i.e. visual disturbances with a possible, one-sided visual impairment that can become noticeable in a few hours: occurs in about 20 percent of those affected
- Disorders of muscle function, which show up as paralysis or increased muscle stiffness: Statistically the third most common
- disorders of the bladder
- Fatigue with great exhaustion
- Speech disorders similar to those after a stroke
- Unsteadiness when walking, running and standing
Multiple sclerosis and herpes: study proves connection with Epstein-Barr virus
As part of a US study, blood tests showed that all patients examined were infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The for the study The responsible researchers at Harvard University had drawn striking conclusions from the medical records of more than ten million US soldiers: 801 contracted multiple sclerosis – and the EBV virus was found in the blood of all of them. This leads to the conclusion that an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus can be partly responsible for the development of multiple sclerosis.
Glandular fever disease also increases the risk of multiple sclerosis
According to the results of the study, anyone who then falls ill with glandular fever after being infected with EBV seems to have an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. On average, the first symptoms of the nervous disease MS appeared about seven years after the glandular fever. Chronic fatigue syndrome can also be triggered by previous viral diseases such as glandular fever.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about clinical pictures.