Possible reactivated EBV
I was first diagnosed with EBV in 2017. It took a while to get my doctor to test for mono, as they suggested my fatigue was normal for a mom with young children. Coupled with my fatigue, I had two symptoms that really stuck out: very sore throat and heavy / weak arms. I recovered, but it took a few months to get back to my old self. I experienced similar symptoms for several weeks after high amounts of stress in both 2020 and 2021, but possible reactivation of EBV was readily dismissed without testing. I had COVID in summer 2022 and recovered. Two months later I was experiencing all over weakness, heaviness in my arms, joint pain, sore throat, extreme fatigue (again after high levels of stress). I struggle to lift things that I previously had no issue lifting. This has now been going on for about 10 weeks. I am a fairly active person and am experiencing pain and long recovery time after physical activity, along with a noticeable decrease in performance. 10 weeks ago I immediately asked my doctor about EBV reactivating, but was told it’s extremely rare. My doctor has tested my thyroid, and screened for MS. Tests have come back with no concerns. I pushed for further testing and the recently got the following results:
EBV Nuclear Antigen IgG Antibody >8.0AI
My doctor tells me it’s impossible to know if my EBV reactivated because it’ll always be in my system. I am told that I am healthy, that this likely has more to do my summer COVID diagnosis and they suggested an anti-depressant.
My questions are:
Should I keep pursuing this, or do I just need to wait it out and hope to recover in the next few weeks?
Where can I turn for answers?
Is there anything I can do to help ease the symptoms?
Thank you.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Infectious Diseases Support Group.