Posted by Larry Hoover on February 2, 2005, at 8:53:53
In reply to Mononucleosis questions, posted by Questionmark on January 31, 2005, at 3:43:16
> Alright, so the Epstein-Barr virus [that causes] mononucleosis is said to stay in your body for life once you are infected. But supposedly your immune system keeps it suppressed after you get over the illness. However, it can (i believe) "flare up" again later in life, depending on various factors.
Absolutely correct. Same with all the herpes viruses, including herpes zoster (chicken pox), which resurfaces late in life as shingles. Polio comes back (in some people), etc. It seems to be true of a great number of different viruses.
One of the theories of chronic fatigue syndrome is persistent viral activation. Eventually, your body succumbs to the constant activation, just literally tiring out from the effort to suppress the virus.
Stress can be a triggering factor because of adrenal stimulation. The end result is too much competition for the body's efforts/capacity, if I may simplify it to that. Stress is a high nutrient demand situation, and so is immune activation. They can't both obtain all the raw materials required for their respective biochemical machinery, while at the same time, the effects of the activation can actually reduce nutrient intake.
I strongly recommend that you ensure that your intake of B-vitamins and antioxidants (in particular), and minerals (as a matter of maintenance) are enhanced during your down periods. Vitamin C, for example, is a crucial part of the antiviral armamentarium.
Get a good multivitamin, and take two every day. Add in 2000 mg of vitamin C, 800 IU of vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), 200 mcg of selenium, and, if the multi doesn't hit this mark, top up to about 40 mg zinc/day. Believe it or not, fish oil might help with the general malaise, as well.
Adding in additional niacinamide (the amide form of B3....NOT niacin), and pantothenic acid (B5), will help with energy and the adrenal aspects.
Be careful about protecting your gut area from physical violence of any sort. Epstein-Barr can cause enlargement of the spleen, and it gets more fragile (subject to rupture/bleeding) during such episodes.
Best,
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:450456
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050105/msgs/451642.html