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Does Mono (Epstein-Barr Virus) Cause Multiple Sclerosis?

April 26, 2017cause causes epstein-barr glandular fever Mono mononucleosis MS multiple sclerosis virus

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Does Mono (Epstein-Barr Virus) Cause Multiple Sclerosis?

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Does Mono (Epstein-Barr Virus) Cause Multiple Sclerosis?When I posted this blog about the Epstein-Barr virus (the virus that causes mono) and multiple sclerosis, well over 100 people with multiple sclerosis responded. The vast majority of these people reported having had a severe case of mono and then developing multiple sclerosis a decade or more later. So, does this mean that multiple sclerosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus?Answer: Of course, no one knows the answer to this question. It seems beyond coincidence that so many people with multiple sclerosis have also had mono (a.k.a. mononucleosis or “glandular fever”). While most people would test positive for Epstein-Barr antibodies, indicating a past exposure, not everybody had a case of mono severe enough to get diagnosed. It seems reasonable to think that a viral infection could somehow alter the cells in the immune system to