You look like the picture of health yet your muscles ache; you could sleep 18 hours a day and still feel the need for more. You suffer daily headaches, have no energy yet you push yourself to perform. Your immune system is so weakened you appear to become infected with every germ floating in the air or lurking on every door handle waiting to be picked up. You are so tired driving your car you feel you may be a threat to others on the road so you now limit your driving. You can fall asleep eating dinner and your muscles are so fatigued, holding a glass becomes a two-handed endeavor. You become aware of problems concentrating, you don’t seem to remember things as well as you once did. Stress and frustration intensify, your family doesn’t know how to respond to you, your friends begin to avoid contact with you exacerbating an attitude already filled with negativity and frustration. You go from doctor to doctor looking for help, seemingly to no avail. You ask, "Could it be Epstein-Barr?" and they laugh. You begin to question your sanity. ‘What is wrong with me?’ you scream silently? Welcome to the world of Epstein-Barr.

Epstein-Barr is a debilitating virus with no cure and hell-bent on devastating your life. Even your metabolism will not escape the grip of Epstein-Barr. Some of us suffer severe weight gain, or severe weight loss. To add even more stress to our overburdened life, many doctors in past years would not acknowledge Epstein-Barr as even existing, so treatment was not viable until the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia began its studies on Epstein-Barr during the late 1980’s. Until the CDC stated Epstein-Barr and its rash of side effects existed, we stumbled blindly looking for help and acknowledgement that something was terribly wrong with us.

The medical profession ignored the reality of Epstein-Barr virus, or the "yuppie disease" as it was commonly referred to for some years as it appeared to attack a certain group of people, upper middle to upper income families in high stress jobs with higher incidence. Levels of high stress seemed to allow the emergence of Epstein-Barr. Now we have become educated that Epstein-Barr is not a discriminate virus, nor does it care about age. The CDC now acknowledges evidence that the Epstein-Barr virus has been found in infants once natural maternal protection has disappeared. We are now informed that Epstein-Barr is a prerequisite for infectious mononucleosis and can remain dormant in the cells in our throat and blood for the rest of our lives. It can also lay dormant in some cells of our body’s immune system. Periodically, the CDC states, the virus can reactivate.

The most crucial finding is the transmission of Epstein-Barr, which was once believed not to be contagious. Now the CDC warns the spread of infection especially through saliva. To protect others from the spread of Epstein-Barr, limit kissing, refuse to share cups, bottles or any other food where your saliva can be and protect your sneezes. We know the highest rate of infection is spread via our eyes. We rub our eyes with our fingers and since our immune system is not working as well as it did, this makes us subject to many more infections. Wash your hands more frequently to keep them relatively free of germs that can infect you. Germs are on handles of everywhere we need to be. A suggestion is to carry a travel container of baby wipes with you or liquid hand santitizer and use often.

Now we know something is wrong with us, what do we do if we suspect the possibility of Epstein-Barr? The very first thing we need to do is educate ourselves. The second thing to do is "network." Ask your family, friends and work associates if they know anyone who has Epstein-Barr, get their phone number and contact them. They can lead you to proper medical care by a physician who has satisfactorily treated the demands of that person, thereby eliminating the expense and excessive trips pursuing medical attention alone.

Support is also crucial at this time and knowing other people can be most comforting in your time of need. The Internet is a valuable source to contact when information and support is needed. Be aware not everything published on the Internet is sensible, so try to distinguish what is dribble and what isn’t. If you are in doubt, write your questions down on a piece of paper, then bring your questions to your doctor to discuss. This way you are not wasting time the doctor’s time or yours. Also write down all the symptoms you are experiencing so a correct diagnosis can be attained. Epstein-Barr can be detected through blood work so plan on having that procedure done if you think this is a possibility. Your doctor will advise the best possible plan of treatment for you to follow if Epstein-Barr presents a positive test.

Holistic healing demands a lot of attention these days and can be an alternative in your approach to returning to a more normative lifestyle again. Again, please network to find the best source and most informed to help you in pursuing a natural path if you so desire.

Vitamins such as B Complex and B₁₂ (stress management), Garlic (immune), Echinacea and Goldenseal (antivirals, immune), Ginkgo (memory), C and E (antioxidants), are espoused as good starts to rebuilding your immune system. Colloidal Silver is coming on strong as a natural antibiotic and is said to prevent the Epstein-Barr virus from bonding with necessary oxygen molecules, thereby, suffocating the virus. They all deserve consideration. We know stress depletes B vitamins from our bodies so a good all-purpose vitamin should be a daily supplement in our diet. B₁₂ is known as the "stress vitamin" and replenishes our bodies as well as giving us some energy. Don’t take them before bedtime as sleep can be inhibited. Vitamin C has always been thought to be a great immune system protector, but can aggravate the stomach lining. C is an acid so if you plan on taking vitamin C, you may want to consider using a buffered vitamin C, Ester-C. Chromium is another vitamin, which maintains sugar levels in your body. As always, before taking any vitamins, ask your doctor’s advice first.

Another herbal consideration, which is promoted as a natural anti-depressant, is St. John’s Wort. This can help lower the frustrations of dealing with Epstein-Barr and will also assist you in sleeping if you are adverse to traditional methodologies, but take as directed by your doctor. This vitamin is still controversial. If you are employed, and this is your source of stress, you may have to consider alternative employment, or take a medical leave from your present job. Another great way to alleviate stress is through meditation and there are many services in community to take advantage of. Tai chi, yoga even psychotherapy are avenues which can also be explored. Having a massage once or twice per week is another useful way to alleviate stress.

Stress is the culprit that exacerbates Epstein-Barr so stress is highly recommended as something to avoid. If you are involved with friends, even family, who you found stressful before, stay away from them! The most important thing for you to do right now is be very selfish with yourself and if it means removing yourself from situations that cause you stress, you need to do it! Your family and friends will get over it.

Lactic acid builds up in our muscles when we don’t use them regularly and when you have Epstein-Barr you don’t always have the physical stamina to exercise. Avoid starches and sugars that promote lactic acid as these two are energy boosters and if you can’t exercise you’re storing lactic acid in your muscles, which can cause severe muscle aching (fibromyalgia). Also discuss a diet with your physician. Since activity can lessen when Epstein-Barr strikes, your food intake should be changed and minimized as well.

Try walking as an exercise if you can. Put on a headset and walk to a nice calming meditative music tape/CD or natural sounds such as the ocean. Daily gentle aerobics is another consideration. Swimming is a great way to exercise too. Just a few minutes a day will help, but avoid over stressing yourself physically.

Sleep is the time when our bodies rejuvenate so it is important that we achieve a deep sleep. Try going to bed the same time every evening. This could be an opportune time to practice meditation that can help eliminate stress and provide deeper sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, ask your doctor for a sleeping aid, but make sure you inform him of every other medication and vitamin you are taking.

Conclusion: Epstein-Barr is real. It is an indiscriminate virus that can steal away your energy, vitality and alter your life in ways you never imagined. It can force you to change your type of employment, your friends, even members of your family are subject to distancing because once situations involving these factors exacerbate stress, Epstein-Barr runs rampant and your quality of life lowers. Expect to be "rehabbing" for the rest of your life as Epstein-Barr resurfaces in times you become stressed. For the student, especially at exam time, Epstein-Barr rears its ugly head and offers more stress to deal with. Please don’t despair. You can have normality of life, just expect to share it with Epstein-Barr. Be selfish with yourself! Don’t over extend yourself. Don’t be afraid to take care of your needs. If you follow this advice, you will be the beneficiary of living life again! Just realize your limitations and work within their boundaries.