Link between Mono and MS - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

sahicken · 05-26-2009, 07:50 AM

Has anyone heard anything about the link between Mononucleosis and MS? I had Mono Oct. last year at age 51 But I also thought I had it as a child. This year when I started getting all the strange symptoms leading me to suspect MS. Although I had problems about 6 or 7 years ago as well I am still trying to get my Cranial MRI done and yes I have had every kind of blood test you can come up with along with a spinal MRI. I have been miserable since the start of the year. Just wondering if anyone had heard of this link.

Snoopy61 · 05-26-2009, 08:14 AM

There has been quite a bit of discussion about mono (EBV) and MS through the years. At this time there is no positive link, just therories. Therories is all there is with MS at this time.

The fact is, 95 percent of the population has had mono, 95 percent of the population does not have MS.

It's believed that those with MS are geneticlly predisposed to MS and "something" triggers it. What that "something" is will more than likely be different for everyone. With mono possibly being one of them.

In my case: I have never had mono.

popstarrdiva · 05-27-2009, 01:06 PM

I have heard of the link and I have had mono as well. The rest of my family has never had it. I never knew that it was such a high stat or people who got mono. Interesting.

MSJayhawk · 05-27-2009, 03:13 PM

Never had Mono and no family history of MS. The Mono hypothesis or conjecture reappears every few years. The truth is- doctors still do not know. If doctors knew, we would be closer to a cure.

MSNik · 05-27-2009, 04:54 PM

Ive also never had Mono. There is no definate answer on whether or not Mono or the Epstein Barr Virus can later cause MS, however there are enough people in the country with a history of EB or Mono, who have later developed MS....studies are being done all the time.

I also agree that in general, there are allot of questions about child hood diseases, immune system issues earlier then MS presents, and even genetics....Jayhawk is 100% right about his final comment: if they knew what caused MS, we would be closer to a cure!

Lets hope someone gets that answer in our lifetime!
Nikki