Epstein-Barr Virus Treatment and Dietary Measures

Epstein-Barr Virus Treatment: Best Approaches

Almost 95% of adults have dealt with Epstein-Barr virus infection in their lifetime. The infection stays in their body for a long time after being infected with this virus. To address the impact of this viral disease, people should take proper treatment and follow preventive measures to reduce the impact of its symptoms.

Introduction

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a highly contagious infection that spreads through bodily fluids. This viral disease can cause mononucleosis (mono) and other illnesses among young adults and teens. Adults who get this infection can fall sick and experience swollen lymph nodes.

This blog briefly discusses the best approaches for the treatment of EBV and also mentions the preventive measures.

What is Epstein-Barr Virus?

EBV is a common type of herpesvirus transmitted through different types of bodily fluids, like saliva. Symptoms of this viral disease include body fatigue, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck, and high fever.

You can have EBV by sharing things that come into contact with the saliva of an infected person. Activities like coughing or sneezing, sexual contact, kissing, or sharing objects like a toothbrush can lead to EBV.

The virus spreads in the white blood cells, or lymphocytes B cells in your body, which help to fight infection. The addition of EBV in your white blood cells makes them unable to function properly, and you experience these symptoms.

Best Approaches for EBV Treatment

While getting Epstein-Barr virus, about one in four people in the age group of their 20s get affected with mono. However, anyone can get affected with mono after getting EBV, irrespective of their age. It is extremely crucial to ensure the treatment of this viral disease.

There is no permanent cure for EBV or mononucleosis, but treatments can only reduce the symptoms in people. Below are some of the best approaches to treat EBV or mono:

1. Proper Diagnosis

Diagnosis is one of the practices to cure any disease. A proper diagnosis is the first step of viral infection management, which identifies the cause of the disease.

The diagnosis procedure for EBV is very challenging, and the symptoms are quite similar to those of other viral diseases. A blood test can identify antibodies. The problem is that about nine out of 10 adults have antibodies indicating they have earlier suffered from Epstein-Barr virus infection.

People should require a proper diagnosis as a result. Some of the effective tests are the viral capsid antigen test, the early antigen test, and the EBV nuclear antigen test.

Healthcare professionals take the results of this test and other factors into account with the affected person's overall health conditions, and then make a diagnosis.

2. Enough Rest

After getting affected, doctors recommend taking proper rest to reduce the impact of the Epstein-Barr virus. Resting your body can be crucial to getting relief from most viral diseases. Since fatigue is one of the primary symptoms of EBV, it helps reduce the symptoms.

You must avoid excessive physical activity, which can rupture the spleen if the virus causes your spleen to expand. In addition, taking enough rest can relieve your headache.

3. Drinking Fluids

Staying hydrated is another major approach that helps you recover from the disease. Ensure taking enough fluids like water, soups, and healthy drinks to reduce the symptoms of EBV.

Hydration helps you prevent the infection from spreading in your body. However, you should avoid consuming carbonated and caffeinated drinks, which can hinder your recovery.

It is essential to keep your body always hydrated since your body struggles to remove waste and regulate temperature.

4. Avoiding Any Type of Sports

You must also avoid participating in any sports because physical activity can put a lot of pressure on the enlarged spleen. It can result in an increased risk of rupture. Try to avoid any type of sports and heavy exercises when you are sick. Heavy lifts or other vigorous activities can cause injuries to your spleen.

Additionally, keeping a distance from contact sports can help you in the treatment process. Maintaining this principle can also help you mitigate the impact of mononucleosis on your body.

5. Pain Reliever

You will experience severe pain in your abdomen when dealing with the Epstein-Barr virus or mononucleosis. You may also experience severe throat pain, making it difficult to swallow food and water. As a result, healthcare professionals always recommend taking medications that relieve pain and discomfort.

Taking medicines like Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can ease the inflammation, fever, headaches, and even muscle pains. These drugs contain ibuprofen and naproxen, which can reduce body pain.

Additionally, you should avoid doing the activities that cause pain as part of the EBV treatment.

6. Maintain Cleanliness

You must also maintain cleanliness and proper hygiene during the treatment process of EBV. Always use clean utensils while having food, as it is a physically transmitted disease. You should avoid any type of body contact with people who have been affected by EBV.

Stop using the same personal items that were used by people dealing with EBV infections. Sharing food and drinks should also not be allowed while treating the Epstein-Barr virus or mono.

Nevertheless, doctors also recommend avoiding kissing an infected person to get relief from mononucleosis.

How Much Time Will it Take to Get Relief from EBV?

You cannot entirely get relief from EBV, but you can reduce its impact. The time to get relief from this disease after medication varies from person to person. In most cases, it takes a minimum of two weeks and up to four weeks to get relief from the symptoms of the disease.

However, the fatigue of the viral disease and mono lasts for more weeks. It may also take a longer time of 6 months or even more.

Dietary Measures to Cure EBV

You need to focus on dietary measures to reduce the impact of the symptoms, along with following the above practices. You have to avoid high-carbonated drinks as well as alcohol from your routine to help your body recover from the disease.

EBV-led diseases like mono can affect your liver. Drinking alcohol can lead to damage.

Try to avoid consuming beverages like coffee and other drinks containing caffeine. Consuming a high quantity of coffee can affect your stomach, slowing your recovery process.

Final Words

Epstein-Barr virus is a common viral disease with no permanent treatment. It spreads through bodily fluids like saliva. Proper diagnosis, adequate rest, avoiding spots, and maintaining cleanliness are some of the best approaches for EBV or mononucleosis treatment.

Maintaining a caffeine and alcohol-free diet can help you recover from the disease earlier. You can also contact healthcare personnel or institutions for supportive care for EBV.