Khaberni - A new study reveals that infection with the Epstein-Barr virus known as the "kissing disease" can double the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
Recent scientific research has shown that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), known as the cause of kissing disease or infectious mononucleosis, can significantly increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system and impairs the brain's ability to communicate with the body.
This virus is common, infecting about 95% of the population in the United States, and sometimes presents with severe symptoms known as infectious mononucleosis, especially in adolescents and young adults, causing severe fatigue, sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck and underarms. The tonsils may enlarge and white spots may appear, and the spleen may swell dangerously, requiring avoidance of contact sports and weightlifting for a period after recovery. Symptoms usually disappear within two to four weeks, but fatigue may continue for months in the younger age group.
The study, which relied on records from the Rochester Epidemiology Project in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, followed 18,884 individuals. Of these, 4,721 who were infected with the virus and showed symptoms of inflammatory gland were identified and their condition was compared to 14,163 individuals who did not show confirmed infection with the virus. The results showed that individuals who had infectious mononucleosis due to the EBV virus were 3.14 times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis compared to those uninfected, noting that the appearance of the disease in the infected group was faster by an average of 9.7 years compared to 14.2 years for the uninfected group.
However, researchers clarified that the relationship between the virus infection and multiple sclerosis is not a direct causative one, as the appearance of the disease does not mean that gland inflammation is the sole cause. Tests indicate that more than 99% of those suffering from multiple sclerosis have evidence of previous infection with EBV, while the virus prevalence ranges between 90 and 95% among the general population.
Experts suggest that the findings call for consideration of preventive strategies, such as developing a vaccine against the EBV virus, to reduce long-term risks, especially since multiple sclerosis affects about one million Americans, and presents symptoms including muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, severe fatigue, difficulty in balancing, and these damages may become permanent over time.
The EBV virus is known to be primarily transmitted through saliva, and often spreads among teenagers through kissing, earning it the nickname "kissing disease." About 500 people out of every 100,000 in the United States are annually symptomatic of infectious mononucleosis, although only about a quarter of those infected show clear symptoms after exposure to the virus.
The study emphasizes the urgent need to deep dive into scientific research on environmental and genetic factors that may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis, in addition to monitoring early viral infections, including the EBV virus, which may contribute to the increased likelihood of this complex and chronic neurological disease.
Early awareness of the virus infection and following medical guidelines to prevent complications are essential, especially among the youth, where preventive measures and early diagnosis can reduce neurological damage and improve the quality of life for those most at risk.
