If you thought having mono was bad enough scientist have linked it to other diseases. Those diseases are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease and type 1 diabetes. Just these seven diseases alone affect 8 million people in the US itself. Mononucleosis is commonly known as mono. Espstein- Barr Virus (EBV) is what causes mononucleosis. There is a protein produced by the virus, EBNA2 that is along several locations in the human genome.
Researchers have shed a light on how environmental factors interact with human genomes and have influenced diseases. Environmental factors are things such as viral or bacterial infections, to poor diet, pollution, and other hazardous exposures. EBV is a very common virus in the US, about 90% of people can be infected by age 20. In other nations that are less developed nations, 90% of the people become infected by age 2. Once someone is infected with EBV, the virus remain in their body for the rest of their lives. Mono causes the body to become extremely fatigue. Some may know that mono is nicknamed the "kissing disease". This is because the main cause for the spread of the this virus is through saliva. Researchers have found possible connections between lupus and EBV. This bring the idea that there are proposing mechanisms of the immune system in response to the virus that leads to lupus. Researchers have also found that almost all children with lupus are found to be infected with EBV. So far there are no vaccines that are able to prevent someone from getting infected by EBV.
- Tatiana Silveira (3)
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "'Mono' virus linked to seven serious diseases: Epstein-Barr virus may affect health in more ways than known." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 April 2018.
That is such a scary thought, thinking about this virus staying in our bodies for the rest of our lives. I know many people that have previously had mono and to think that this virus is still in their body is frightening. I wonder if there is anything that can be done to prevent the progression into other diseases.
ReplyDeletePosted by Sarah Aboody (1)
I agree that it can be scary. I have looked into whether anything can be done about preventing the progression to other diseases and it is unclear. Researchers are still trying to figure it out but they just found traces of mono in patients with the seven diseases.
ReplyDelete-Tatiana Silveira (3)
I knew that EBV stays in the body for the rest of an affected patient's life, but I had not previously heard of the virus's connection with lupus. It is definitely a scary thought to know that mono is linked with those seven other serious diseases. From a public health standpoint, it is incredible to me that 90% of people in less developed nations are infected with EBV by age 2 as compared to the 90% by age 20 here in the US. It is definitely humbling thought that makes me feel grateful to live in a country with such good healthcare.
ReplyDelete-Nicole Ayres (1)
Great article! Strange how potent and effective some of these disease can be at setting up shop in your body. I wonder if there are any positive effects that can come from getting a certain disease - such as getting one and becoming immune to the other as a result.
ReplyDelete-Colby Ells (1)