Etiological Agent of Disease
Epstein-Barr
virus (EBV) is the known etiological agent for several
diseases, including infectious mononucleosis (IM); Burkitt’s
lymphoma (BL), a lympho-proliferative cancer of the lymphatic
system in conjunction with the presence of malaria; and nasopharyngeal carcinoma
(NPC), a cancer of the pharynx found primarily in persons of southern Chinese
ancestry. The virus has been suggested as the etiological agent associated with
chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS), a condition of extreme fatigue that
is not relieved through sleep. As is the situation with all herpesviruses,
infection by EBV establishes a lifelong carrier state of the virus.
Treatments
Nutritional supplements. Infectious mononucleosis, also known as the kissing disease, is by far the
most common result of infection by EBV. More serious EBV illnesses include BL and
NPC, which, while life-threatening, are relatively rare and are generally
associated only with certain ethnic populations. The cause of CFS is unclear, but
increasingly the evidence points to the involvement of EBV.
Because EBV-related illnesses are viral infections, antibiotic treatment,
which is effective against bacteria, is largely useless for other than addressing
EBV illnesses with secondary bacterial infections. BL and NPC are cancers, and
they are treated using the standard methods of chemotherapy utilized for many
forms of the disease. Few standard treatments beyond those that are palliative
have proven effective in treating either IM or CFS.
Alternative treatments for EBV disease are generally built upon the idea of improving the body’s nutritional levels, with secondary improvement in the immune system. Vitamin supplements that include both vitamin C and vitamin K have been recommended, as has inclusion of minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Omega-3 oil supplements, such as those found in fish, or flaxseed oils also have been suggested as useful. Beyond the general health benefits provided by these nutritional supplements, there is minimal evidence to support their use in treatment of EBV-related illnesses.
Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy applies the volatile
properties of purified plant oils for the treatment of illnesses. The oils can be
delivered either as an aerosol (hence the term “aroma”) or through direct
application and absorption through skin. Proponents have argued that such therapy
can be used to treat either bacterial or viral infections, including those caused
by EBV, without the side effects associated with pharmaceuticals such as
antibiotics. The oil is often delivered in the form of a
spray but can be included with warm bath water. The theory for aromatherapy’s
efficacy as an antibacterial agent argues that the oil enters the microbe and
prevents access to oxygen. As an antiviral agent, plant oils are believed to
improve immune function, but to do so in an unknown manner. No controlled studies
have demonstrated the effectiveness of aromatherapy in the treatment of
EBV-related diseases.
Chelation therapy. Chelation therapy utilizes chelating
agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), chemicals that bind and
remove minerals that may be found in tissues or blood. The usefulness of chelation
therapy dates to the 1940s, when it was found that EDTA is useful in treating lead
and mercury poisoning. Intravenous use of EDTA or other chelators has been
suggested for the treatment of certain cardiovascular diseases too, although there
is little evidence of its effectiveness, and the treatment may even exacerbate
problems.
Supplements. Certain nutritional supplements, such as vitamin C, garlic, zinc, and some amino acids, which have some chelation properties, have been tested for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. As is the case with other alternative treatments, any success has been reported anecdotally, and no controlled studies have shown their usefulness in treating EBV infections.
A variety of herbal supplements also have adherents in the treatment of EBV
disease. Echinacea is allegedly an immune promoter and blood
cleanser, the Chinese herb astragalus is claimed to relieve
fatigue, and arsenicum is suggested for use by some holistic proponents. While
available over the counter, these herbs have the potential for significant
deleterious side effects and should be used only after consultation with a
physician.
Usefulness of Alternative Treatments
For most persons, the use of treatments such as aromatherapy or nutritional
supplements will have no undesirable side effects. If the person is nutritionally
deficient, the addition of supplements may ameliorate the problem. Indeed, the
mineral zinc has been shown in some studies to decrease recovery
time from minor respiratory infections. Zinc also has been shown to improve immune
function under some circumstances. While there is little evidence supporting its
usefulness in treatment of EBV infections specifically, it is certainly possible
that in boosting immune function in respiratory infections in general, this
usefulness also may apply to those infections caused by EBV.
Aromatherapy and other forms of relaxation techniques may play a palliative role in decreasing stress. Chronic stress is known to produce a variety of deleterious effects, including those that affect immune function; stress hormones in particular may cause immune problems. Relaxation techniques, including those of aromatherapy, may not have a direct impact on immune function, but lowering stress levels may indirectly have a positive effect on the immune system.
Bibliography
Anderson, John, and Larry Trivieri, eds. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. 2d ed. New York: Celestial Arts/Random House, 2002.
Cohen, J. I. “Epstein-Barr Virus Infections, Including Infectious Mononucleosis.” In Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, edited by Joan Butterton. 17th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.
Freeman, Lyn. Mosby’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach. 3d ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby/Elsevier, 2009.
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