Epstein-Barr virus thought to trigger MS

[agate]

It seems that 95% of the population has EBV (Epstein-Barr virus), and now some researchers are making news with a study in Scientific American (January 13) showing that this virus seems to trigger MS:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

[Virginia]

That is an interesting article because none of us would have any way of knowing if we were infected with Epstein Barr virus when we were very young. However it could be good news for the young people coming along if they can come up with a vaccine for Epstein Barr virus.

Based on our record with COVID I wonder how many parents would let their children get the vaccine. Also the fact that so many people don't realize what MS is, they would probably say the chances of getting it would be too low.

Still to know this information is out there is good.

[agate]

I wonder if this article is saying that everyone who has MS must have had EBV at some time? I surely never knew I had anything like EBV.

[Howie]

For me, I think Herpes Simplex 1 was the trigger. I wrote about it in detail years ago. Most people also have this virus in a dormant state, or in an active state like mine was. It gives you what everyone calls a cold sore. After some research, I put mine back into a dormant state through using the antiviral Valtrex.

I've not had an exacerbation in 20 years and have also not had a cold sore. I have never used any of the MS drugs.

[agate]

Really--no cold sores in 20 years? I wonder if that's unusual--because I've had a few of them in 20 years--maybe 5 or 10. Do you think you cured yourself of cold sores permanently?

[SuzE-Q]

I am always interested in new research. I think I tested negative for EBV a long time ago but well after dx, but then tested positive later on. Whatever, if they want to develop a vaccine for it, I'll be happy to take it. I wonder what's so special about us that it triggers MS given how almost everyone contracts EBV in their lifetime but almost all don't go on to develop MS. I laughed when I saw they are now testing hydroxychloroquine, the failed covid trestment, in MS.

Howie, I haven't had a cold sore in years and years either, I'm not sure why. I can go a long time between breakouts of those ugly little suckers But, didn't you end up in the hospital, then rehab for an MS related event a few years ago? I seem to remember agate tracking you down through your sister and reading updates here, but I don't remember the cause of the medical care.

[Howie]

SuzE-Q, I went to the hospital because I passed out in the Food Lion parking lot. Those were in my Vodka drinking days. I was in my 3rd day of not sleeping and went to the store for who knows what. Got out of my car, and took a few steps, and that's all she wrote. I woke up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.

[SuzE-Q]

Scary. Well...glad you're sleeping well nowadays! I'm sure three days without sleep would do anyone in. That's enough excitement for this ol' bunch of hens!

[Howie]

Agate, not cured, but put it into a dormant state. There is no cure for any of the Herpe viruses, and I don't believe there ever will be. But they are supposed to be in a dormant state. That's how they live. Even animals carry different Herpes viruses.

[Lazarus]

Interesting comments from everyone. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[Virginia]

I must have misread that article. I thought the vaccine was to prevent MS. I didn't get the impression it was to help those of us who already have it, but if it is I say "bring it own". Of course that comes with the caveat of if it doesn't do us any harm in any other way.

[SuzE-Q]

Virginia, since this study only showed a correlation between EBV infections and increase in MS dx, but none for other infections, they still must not know the relationship between why MS develops in a certain percentage of us.

I know other vaccines have been proposed in MS and not just to avoid a new MS diagnosis. So, this could still possibly lead to some benefit for us old gals (& guys) already diagnosed. Sonething to hope for. If it was the antibodies that triggered an autoimmune response, wouldn't a vaccine (that still creates the antibodies) not help anyone not yet diagnosed either if they were predisposed somehow already?

[Lazarus]

Virginia,
I think the significant point in the article was, for people like us, in the last paragraph. Not only do they probably already have a useful vaccine but it is also something that will help with existing symptoms. My family, full of research doctors, got excited about the article and I got a lot of forwards. I could not understand why they were so excited until I hit the final paragraph.

I am not sure if the article I read is the same one posted here but they all pretty much said the same thing!
linda

[Virginia]

Suze-Q and Linda, thanks for shedding some more light on this article. I went back and read the last paragraph again and now it makes more sense.

[agate]

Yes, I think we're supposed to stay tuned for news of more developments, maybe even a vaccine of some kind. Of course we've been staying tuned for decades now but these things take time and more time.