Rochester, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/29/2015 -- "Infected with the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)? The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD) recommends talking to your doctor about a study, which was published in the peer reviewed medical journal Pharmacology & Pharmacy, and which discussed natural antiviral remedies against EBV." - Greg Bennett, CBCD

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is virus in the herpes family, can cause painful mouth sores and ulcers. In fact, according to a report, "mouth ulcers are a common symptom of poor immunity, and are frequently seen in Epstein Barr patients." (2) Symptoms can include "cracks in the corner of the mouth, a sore tongue and difficulty swallowing. These symptoms can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort." (2) EBV causes these symptoms most often in older individuals. As Dr. Magalhaes and colleagues wrote, "elderly patients who develop an unexplained, persistent ulcer of the oral mucosa should have the lesion examined for EBV." (1) Dr. Magalhaes is with the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto in Canada.

Dr. Magalhaes described the symptoms of an Epstein-Barr Virus in one elderly patient like this: "An 81-year-old lady presented to her dentist with a 3-month history of a painful, nonhealing ulcer on the left hard palate … she was a nonsmoker and did not consume alcohol. Besides the presence of a painful oral ulcer, she was well and had no systemic complaints. Clinical examination revealed a round, well-circumscribed, deep ulceration measuring 3.5 × 3.5 cm ... the ulcer had a slightly raised indurated border and a tan-white granular base. There were no extraoral lesions, lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly." (1) In other words, an older woman came into the dentist's office with a painful sore in her mouth that was not healing by itself. The sore was deep, and when tested, tissue inside the sore was found to be positive for EBV infection.

The CDC notes that "Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4, is a member of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common human viruses. EBV is found all over the world. Most people get infected with EBV at some point in their lives." (3) The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD) recommends that in light of the medical evidence, infected individuals take Gene-Eden-VIR or Novirin. The formula of these natural, antiviral supplements was designed to help the immune system target the latent EBV.

Click to learn more about EBV symptoms.

Older individuals should especially take note of sores in the mouth, and get tested for Epstein-Barr Virus infections. As Dr. Magalhaes wrote, "elderly patients who develop an unexplained, persistent ulcer of the oral mucosa should have the lesion examined for EBV. A medical history should be taken to determine if the patient is on immunosuppressive medications." (1)

What treatments are available for EBV infections?

"A few antiviral drugs are available that were shown to inhibit EBV replication in cell culture. These drugs include the acyclic nucleoside analogues aciclovir, ganciclovir, penciclovir, and their respective prodrugs valaciclovir, valganciclovir and famciclovir, the acyclic nucleotide analogues cidofovir and adefovir, and the pyrophosphate analogue foscarnet. However, clinical studies have shown that these drugs are mostly ineffective in humans." (4) There are also natural antiviral products that studies show to be safe and effective in reducing EBV symptoms. The study mentioned above that was published in Pharmacology & Pharmacy is one such study.

Individuals can download the study here in .pdf format:

http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=36101

The CBCD recommends downloading the study, printing it, and showing it to one's doctor.

References:

(1) Magalhaes M1, Ghorab Z2, Morneault J3, Akinfolarin J3, Bradley G1. "Age-related Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer: a case report." Clin Case Rep. 2015 Jul;3(7):531-

(2) "EBV Treatment and Mouth Ulcers" – epsteinbarrvirus.com

(3) CDC.com - About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Last updated January 6, 2014.

(4) Polansky, H. Itzkovitz, E. Gene-Eden-VIR Is Antiviral: Results of a Post Marketing Clinical Study. Published in September 2013.
http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=36101