E-Bar? - Infectious Diseases Message Board

nelldance · 05-27-2003, 11:04 PM

Okay, I am 21 years old. When I was 11 I had mono., then again at 14. Then just last year they thought I had it again. I am now feeling the same way I did last year. They ruled out mono, but said it was just the epstein bar virus. My question is will this always make me sick? I always feel tired and run down, and sometimes very weak. And, can this cause any bladder or kidney problems?

hatebeingsick · 05-29-2003, 06:37 PM

i had mono last year and just this past week ive started feeling horrible....the tonsils, the fever, the whole thing. ive taken two mono tests and theyve both came up negative so my doctor, who is convinced this is mono, is making me take a third in a few days...he said if it comes up negative again there is a good chance i mihgt just have EBV. i dont think i can help you to much but he told me that EBV is something you have all your life and someone can go up to years without being affected and then if they are ever under extreme stress or something of that nature it can have a "flare-up" where they will expierence the symptoms of EBV....im not sure however if it can cause bladder or kidney problems.....but it can make you sick or put you in bed for up to a couple months, i guess that means you really have to listen to your body and never push your limits

amphigory · 05-30-2003, 09:22 AM

Once you're infected with Epstein-Barr, you have a latent infection for the rest of your life. Stress and (I think) immunosuppression can cause flareups.

That said, Epstein-Barr is lymphotropic (it lives in B lymphocytes), so I wouldn't think you'd see a lot of kidney or bladder symptoms.

Renee016 · 07-26-2003, 09:06 PM

Hi, Nelldance - I have been diagnosed with Epstein-Barr, which I have been told is the same virus that causes mono and it is life-long. It is a very common virus, but does not cause symptoms in most people. However, if it shows up at a high level on a blood test, chances are you will be suffering from fatigue, body aches and dizziness. I've had symptoms for a long time so my doctor assumes its Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. My husband was just diagnosed with it too.

Take care and I hope you feel better soon.
Renee

------------------
1982 Fusion surgery for scoliosis with stainless steel Harrington Rod (T5 - L3) using pelvic bone for grafting
1999 Neck problems began
2001 Cervical Kyphosis
2002 Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr (level was 7+) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
2003 3 Herniated Cervical Discs - C4 thru C7. One disc (C5-6) pressing on the spinal cord (no nerve root compression) causing leg weakness, tingling, burning and numbness - diagnosed with myelopathy and ACDF recommended.
2/24/03 One-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy with donor bone and titanium plate (C5-6)
Post 2/03 - Symptoms returned and worsening. Weakness in my legs is like walking against a 50 mph wind - pain in lower back and all the way down my right leg to the ankle - vertigo, muscle spasms in trunk and legs
7/03 MRI of lower back just showed some mild DDD
7/03 EEG, BAERS and MRI of brain all normal

Sarah68 · 07-29-2003, 05:16 AM

Once you have had mono, then yes, Epstein Barr virus is there to stay and will remain latent and as another poster said, will emerge at times of stress and lowered immunity. In fact these two go together, as at times of stress your immunity is lowered anyway. Basically your adrenal glands release cortisol when under stress and high cortisol levels lead to decreased immunity.

The fact that your mono test has been negative just means a recurrance of the Epstein Barr virus, which is why you feel as you do. It is right that the Epstein Bar Virus lives in the B cells and there has been some research done that focusses on the fact that long standing EBV infection can lead to the developed of cases of the Hodgkin's Lymphomas and possibly certain types of Leukaemias.

As it lives in the B cells it is very unlikely that it will affect the bladder and kidneys. If you are now having problems with your bladder and kidneys, perhaps this is an infection caused by your immunity being lower than normal. If you are under stress at present and you will be if you have a recurrance of EBV, then this is the likely cause and is not directly related to it.

Good luck