Nandini Pharasi, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology
About EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), commonly known as human herpesvirus 4, is a herpes virus that belongs to the herpes family. It’s one of the most prevalent viruses in humans. EBV is a virus that may be found all over the world. EBV infects the majority of people at some time in their life. Infectious mononucleosis, often known as mono and other diseases can also be caused by EBV.
A 12-year-old Canadian kid was diagnosed with the Epstein Barr virus, a dangerous health condition that caused his tongue to become yellow. The Canadian youngster was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that targeted his immune system and damaged his red blood cells, according to research published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). After experiencing a sore throat, black urine, stomach ache, and pale complexion for many days, the 12-year-old was sent to the hospital. His hemoglobin level was 6.1 g per deciliter, and he had jaundice and anicteric tongue. Doctors at the hospital determined that the kid had jaundice, a disease that causes the skin and whites of the eyes to become yellow. The vivid yellow color on his tongue astounded everyone. Following a series of medical testing, doctors found that the kid had anemia and was infected with the Epstein Barr virus. An underlying illness such as an infection, another autoimmune disease, or some malignancies can induce cold agglutinin disease, which can be either primary or secondary. In the end, the boy was diagnosed with “Cold agglutinin-induced EBV-induced acute hemolytic anemia”
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Cold temperatures or a viral infection can often trigger or exacerbate side effects. Since there is no immunization for the Epstein-Barr virus, treatment options include fluid intake, over-the-counter medication, and bed rest. According to the NEJM, the boy’s treatment included blood transfusions and seven weeks of oral steroids to suppress immune system activity. The Epstein-Barr virus is a highly communicable chronic condition that can be transmitted through kissing, exchanging food and drink, or bodily fluid exchange with an infected person.
The Epstein-Barr virus causes the following symptoms:
- Swollen liver
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen neck lymph nodes
- Rashes
- Spleen swelling
- Body ache
- Headache
Relationship between Epstein-Barr virus with COVID-19:
“Researchers evaluated the Epstein Barr virus serology of COVID19 patients and examined the EBV reactivation rate of individuals with short-term and long-term COVID symptoms. This was done at least 90 days after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and those who had never had long COVID symptoms. Over 73 percent of COVID-19 patients with long-term COVID side effects tested positive for EBV reactivation” said the study’s lead author Jeffrey E. Gold.
David J. Hurley, one of the study’s co-authors says, “We observed that a person with long-term COVID symptoms for months had similar rates of EBV reactivation as people with long-term COVID symptoms that started within weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. This prompted us to conclude that EBV reactivation occurs at the same time as COVID-19 infection or shortly after”.
Also read: Older patients of diabetes mellitus have low creatinine levels
Reference:
- 12-year-old boy with yellow tongue diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus—Know about EBV, its link with COVID-19. (n.d.). Retrieved July 28, 2021, from https://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/12-year-old-boy-with-yellow-tongue-diagnosed-with-epstein-barr-virus-know-about-ebv-its-link-with-covid/791177
- The Corrosion Prediction from the Corrosion Product Performance
- Nitrogen Resilience in Waterlogged Soybean plants
- Cell Senescence in Type II Diabetes: Therapeutic Potential
- Transgene-Free Canker-Resistant Citrus sinensis with Cas12/RNP
- AI Literacy in Early Childhood Education: Challenges and Opportunities
Author details:
Nandini Pharasi is a third-year student, pursuing biotechnology from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology. She plans to be a researcher in the future.
Social media link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandini-pharasi/
Publications:
well written
Thannkyou