Just got a call from my LLMD office after some recent testing. The nurse told me I tested positive for Chronic EBV. What does this mean? Could this have caused a false Lyme test many moths ago? Now I'm all confused they want to put me on Valtrex until my next appointment. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
Doubtful that it made your test a false positive. If you ONLY had bands 30/31, then you can run 30/31 confirmation test from IGeneX to confirm that viral cross-reactivity did not impact your test. The odds are likely low and only apply as I understand if you ONLY had bands 30/31 show as Bb specific bands. Obviously if you had a low CD57, any positive coinfections, of clinical symptoms not related to EBV, those would be other indicators that would not be caused by EBV.
Personally, I am not a fan of Valtrex for this. I'd look at something like Lauricidin. Many chronic Lyme people have active EBV and almost everyone carries the virus whether or not they have Lyme.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
raki~ Here is a link to an article about chronic EBV infection:
The criteria he used is: Patients with "high" antibody titers against HHV-6 IgG ≥ 640, EBV VCA IgG ≥ 640 and detectable EA Ab at 1:160 or HHV-6 IgG ≥ 320 if EBV VCA IgG ≥ 1280 and has detectable EA Ab at 1:160 (measured by the average of a minimum of two time points obtained during screening at least 3 weeks apart).
You can also view two videos about EBV infection on the HHV-6 website: www.hhv-6foundation.org There is a link on the home page:
"View videos from the Symposium on Viruses in CFS"
There is also a link before you click into the patient's forum.
It is possible to have both viral and bacterial pathogens causing problems.
I am on acyclovir (active ingredient in Valtrex) to keep the viruses in check; oxymatrine for enterovirus and doxycyline for Cpn.
Glad your LLMD is looking for the viruses too.
Best, Timaca
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
Most people with lyme have several active infections. You could easily have both. As Scott said, most people carry this virus, whether or not they are symptomatic.
Posted by raki (Member # 19266) on :
Thanks for the info guys- could symptoms resolve with CEBV treatment? my symotoms are parkinsonism like symptoms tremors, ridgid, headaches, speech
Thanks
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
raki~ A friend of mine was very ill for 18 years. He was eventually diagnosed with Parkinsons at 2 different medical center. It wasn't Parkinsons.... it was HHV-6 infection. He is now well (although he still has a slight tremor in one hand--likely from nerve damage). He took valcyte for 8 months.
You might want to get tested for HHV-6 too. Use Focus Diagnostics Lab. See: www.hhv-6foundation.org for further info.
Best, Timaca
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
It seems unlikely that your symptoms are solely viral in origin. If you also have tested for Lyme disease, it may be a combination of many microbial stressors and toxins that lead to symptoms.
Posted by lemonsnotlymes (Member # 19926) on :
I tested way positive to EBV and HSV. I am on Valtrex. I thought for the HSV.
But my LLMD explained that Valtrex has been helpful to treat both viruses.
I don't know if this is really the case, but I don't have the crushing fatigue that I used to have.
I just had blood work last week to re-check the EBV. We will see if it has helped.
Posted by Sheryl777 (Member # 17804) on :
I also have EBV. My test reading was higher than they measured. If you do a search in the earlier postings you will find interesting information.
My doctor said he could get rid of it (I believe he mentioned Valtrex) but that it would take longer than getting rid of lyme.