Continued Healing from Reactivated Epstein-Barr: An Update

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ELIZABETH

I'm a Certified Health Coach, longtime blogger, and host of Elizabeth Eats on YouTube. In addition to writing recipes (I love to eat!), I'm a strong believer that life is too short to settle for anything less than living your best life.

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Healing from Reactivated Epstein-Barr: Update

Before I get started, I want you to know that all in all I feel great!

I had some surprising test results and will continue to share these insights in case it helps you with your health issues, too. Since it’s been a few months since my last update, I want to share my current testing and treatment updates.

A healthy lifestyle goes a long way to feeling better when dealing with a chronic issue like a virus, and the goal of this series is to help you identify potential issues if you have mystery symptoms or just feel tired all the time. There have been a lot of ups and downs in dealing with reactivated Epstein-Barr but the more we all share, the more it helps everyone.

If you’re new here, you can read my full story of symptoms, diagnosis, testing and treatment in the first three posts in this series, to understand where I’m at and give you ideas for your journey, too.

Now for the update…

Elispot Test for Epstein-Barr Virus

Over the summer I had another integrative physical with my Functional MD, Dr. Armonia del Sol, at Sanoviv Medical Institute. During this visit she let me know that a new and even more sensitive test to detect active EBV is now available. Called Elispot, this test evaluates your T-cell responses to the Epstein–Barr virus. I’m not a doctor, and the science of this gets complicated quickly and is way over my blogger paygrade. So in layman’s terms, I’ll just say that this test gives the doctor even more information as to if your body is actively fighting the chronic infection as opposed to just the IgG and IgM antibody tests.

To be honest, I half expected it to come back negative. While we know both my IgG and IgM antibodies have been high, I’ve been feeling pretty good lately. (However, sometimes I think low energy levels have become so routine that I’m not sure if I know what normal always feels like). My weight has also been fluctuating despite eating a strict healthy diet, so she wanted to do this test to see what my body was fighting. The Elispot test came back positive that my T-cells are still actively trying to fight the infection.

My biggest question was, “what does that mean?”

Modern medicine is still catching up to understanding reactivated and chronic Epstein-Barr infections. This, of course, is frustrating for everyone.

It’s frustrating as a patient, and I can see the frustration my MD experiences because she’s dedicated to science and medicine. Not only that, she’s open-minded to the fact that reactivated Epstein-Barr virus is a real problem that is not yet fully understood by the medical community. Robust testing and treatment protocols have not yet been established, so if you have mystery symptoms and are being treated, my advice is not to blame your doctor. Instead, find a functional practitioner who is open to exploring treating EBV (or chronic viruses in general).

Treatment protocols can be different for each patient, so please remember that when I share what I’m doing it’s meant to give you avenues to explore with your own doctors and not a prescription of what to do.

Additional Blood Ozone Treatments

Dr. Armonia’s first recommendation for me was to do a pretty aggressive round of medical blood ozone treatments (major autohemotherapy) with blood irradiation. (I talk more about blood ozone treatments here.) I did one autohemotherapy per week for three weeks in a row to give a mega-boost to my immune system and hyper-oxygenate my blood. I visited Advanced Medical Therapies in Seattle with Dr. Armonia as my referring physician and really liked my experience there.

One hypothesis about the reactivated EBV issues is that the immune system for some reason isn’t reacting strongly enough. So, the goal of this type of immunotherapy in my case was to jumpstart the immune system and potentially kill some of the virus. And it worked because I got a massive sinus infection after the second one, which sucked big time but was actually a good sign that my immune system was in full force.

Years ago, I told my functional medicine doctor that I hadn’t been sick in years. I thought that meant I was super healthy, but she was concerned because that can indicate that the immune system isn’t responding. You can still have all of those nasty viruses and germs that would make you sick, but your immune system just doesn’t kick in, which is a bad thing. By the time I went for the third treatment the next week I was on the mend and the clinic offered fluids via an IV drip to help me feel better since I was already hooked up for the ozone treatment, so that was a plus.

Lysine + Morning Celery Juice

I also added a lysine supplement and morning celery juice to my routine, in addition to the supplements I mention in this post. I try to not overload on supplements, but I’ve tested being on and off of these, and they do make a big difference as to how I feel. I just started the lysine and don’t have a full update on that one yet. I’m really loving the morning celery juice. Even though it’s hard to know if it actually helps with EBV (I think it does), drinking fresh juice first thing in the morning hydrates the body and my skin looks extra glowy, so that’s a plus.

Focusing on Healthy Habits

In general, I’m feeling pretty good!

I continue to focus on healthy food, sleep, and self-care. I go into detail about healthy living and creating habits that you enjoy in my new book, The Health Habit: 7 Easy Steps to Reach Your Goals & Dramatically Improve Your Life (Hay House, 2019) The book isn’t specifically about EBV or a “prescription” for a way to be healthy, but instead figuring out what works for you and creating daily healthy habits that you enjoy (and actually look forward to!).

Remember, no person is perfect. Be gentle on yourself and focus on progress over perfection.

I’ll do another update soon. Stay on my email list for notifications and more good stuff.

Other posts in this series:

Sending you loads of healing thoughts and love!

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  1. Kenny says:

    A reoccurring fever led to me being diagnosed with EBV in 2017. My first wife had MONO just before we started dating, we were married for 7 years 1978-1985. When I found out about the EBV I thanked her by text message. We had a good laugh. The mother of my children my late wife and I had no symptoms the years we were married. Yes I was 62 when EBV caught up with me. Living by myself for 14 years before that and not dating surprised me but I knew where it had came from. My sister and nurses at my doctor’s advised me through that EBV with lots of rest and antiviral supplements. When identified this time doc put me on Valacyclovir which caused joint problems, crippling me, so I got off it and went back on the extra supplements. I was blessed to find your blog because things are not going as smooth this time. I worked 12 hour shifts in a plastics manufacturing company, 60-70 hours a week a lot of times till last year at 67 I retired. I am pretty fit other than the fact that I am fighting for my life. Can’t find anyone around here doing the blood therapy but nebulizing hydrogen peroxide with iodine seems to help by working along the same lines only not as strong as the blood therapies. I got into the nebulizing in late 2020 when I had C19 for 1 1/2 days. Had it again late 2021 for 1 day. Blood test confirmed cases of C19 I just kicked it fast. Factory was a COVID petri dish. Spike proteins from those even though they would be considered light or spike proteins from shedding is probably where my EBV reactivated from. The antivirals I have used are Colostrum, Astragalus 10+, vitamin C, good probiotics and prebiotics. Also trying to purge fungus from my body for health and cancer prevention.
    Blessings!

    • Kenny says:

      I got the formulas for Nebulizing Hydrogen Peroxide from Dr Mercola back in 2020. You might have to subscribe his Substack to find the old article. You may find it elsewhere just make sure it’s from a reliable and safe source.
      Blessings!

  2. Jennifer says:

    After several years of suffering with muscle and joint pain, doctor after doctor said nothing was wrong. So I went to a functional medicine doctor who ran soooo many tests and I had 3 things going on and 1 of them being a reactivation of EBV. The practitioner wants me to try Ivermectin and some supplements to put it in remission. I’m hoping it works! So glad I found your site and that I’m not the only one.

  3. Matilda says:

    Thank you so much for this blog, which I’ve read with real interest. As I’ve just had a blood test result showing Epstein Barr reactivation – which has left me with lots of questions. One that I’ve been struggling to get an answer to is whether I can pass the virus on to other people? I think most people have already had the virus – so is it right to think that I probably don’t need to worry about passing it on to adults, but I possibly could to children? I am unsure about adults with suppressed immune systems though (like my father) and I would be really grateful for any thoughts/information on this.

  4. Eva says:

    Have you heard of Lomatium root? It is supposed to have strong anti-viral properties. I am currently trying it to reduce the EBV load. The product is called LDM100 from Barlow Herbal.

  5. Sidney says:

    Try eating Wakame (seaweed salad is an easy way). I saw a video on Dr. Greger’s website nutrition facts.org where he talked about a study that showed Wakame kills all herpesviri, including EBV. Nothing worked for my reactivated EBV, but Wakame did.

    • Dawn says:

      Hi Sidney, where do you buy the Wakame that you use? I am a big believer in finding a quality source because alot if supplements are contaminated.

  6. Courtney M says:

    Thank you for this series. My NP ordered this test and my EBV Ab VCA, IgG came back at over 600 and the nuclear antigen Ab, IgG at 256. These are grossly out of range of expected levels and yet my practicioner didn’t mention it as a concern? I have flares of fatigue and overall pain and feeling unwell and have for years. I thought it was all in my head. I also am diagnosed with PCOS so I’m trying to uncover all of the secondary links to the way my body feels.

  7. Rachel says:

    Hi Elizabeth, would you be willing to share what concentration of ozone you’ve been getting in your ozone IV treatments? I’ve been getting the 76.6 gamma, 250 ml ozone (without UV treatment) and wonder if it’s sufficient.

  8. Pam says:

    Hi Elizabeth,
    Reading your posts on EBV are helpful and validating! I recently had blood test results for EBV of 80 (as you said, should be <9) and the Integrative Med provider started me on Valtrex along with several supplements. You mentioned you deducted that the side effects of an antiviral weren't worth the possible gains. Can you share more about this? I've been having stomach discomfort since starting the med and am wondering if I want to keep taking it. I've been trying to sort out Lyme (past infection) and possible Rheumatoid Arth, maybe EBV has been at play all along… I also have herpes (cold sores on face not the genital type), I know EBV is in the same family of viruses but not sure what that means.
    Anyway, I'm mostly writing to say thanks and ask more about deciding not to take one of the acyclovirs. Thx, Pam

  9. Patti McMillian says:

    I really find it appalling that medical research and MD’s know so little about CAEBV. I’ve had a reactivated case for almost 18 months tho my blood tests show no active virus. If so, why does my body crave EBV tinctures and Viral supplements. I started to feel better when crushing fatigue set in. Oh great, Chronic Fatigue is my new diagnosis. Until more is done, far too many women and men will suffer needlessly.

    • Catherine says:

      Blood tests often won’t pick up EBV that had moved into the organs and lymph. If you’re craving the remedies there’s it’s a sure sign your body needs them. Blood tests are hugely inaccurate and the blood take can wreck havoc on an already compromised immune system,

  10. Dina says:

    This is so helpful. Thank you !

  11. Marcela says:

    Hi! It was comforting to read your blog on reactivate EBV. I started presenting symptoms from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome back in March and after looking forever for a functional doctor that could help me, I found a great one who finally found out (through a bunch of special tests and putting different pieces of the puzzle together) that I have reactivated EBV. Since August I have been working on getting this virus back in “quarantine”. I live in Austria, and the homeopathic treatment he put me on is called 2LEBV (from Biolife). The therapy is called micro-immune therapy. He said the treatment would take some months but he has seen good results with it.
    I have been debating the ozone treatments. Also here they are hard to find and quite expensive. I will ask my doctor if these treatments would interfere with the micro immune therapy.
    Anyways, thanks for sharing your story!

  12. Panagiotis Tsintavis says:

    Hello,
    I am wondering how long after treating EBV reactivation would you test again and expect to see changes in antibodies etc?

  13. Agnes says:

    Hi Elizabeth,
    thank you for all the infos on EBV reactivation and treatment! Do you still take Lysine? If so, how much do you take and have you noticed any positive effect? Do you take it at once or divided into smaller portions throughout the day?
    I’m looking forward to your reply!
    Regards,
    Agnes

  14. Anna elzinga says:

    Thank you for your blogs and wesite. I ama 59 year old women who for twonyears have been very sick with chronic fatigue, headaches, sore throat, pain and aching. My primary Dr. Told me its just menopause, but I didnt believe it.
    Finally some mentioned an Integrative Dr and found one at Docere medical clinic in Auburn Wa. She immediately test for EBV and I was the highest level of a recent EBV outbreak.
    I came home and search the web for information and landed here. So thankful for your ppst and information from your story.
    I will begin ozone therapy tomorrow, but they want to do high dose vit C IV at the same time.
    I’m going to ask them about that as you said high doses of vit c antioxcidents combat oxidation. Anyway I’m foing read more of your supplement suggestions. I’ve taken 3 months off work to tackle this virus. I have been sick for so long now and now I feel hopeful!! oh yeah and they tell me I have fibromyalgia too and will always have it. So glad i found your sight!!

    • Candice Cozby says:

      My dr does vitamin c after as well, it’s apparently used to help the symptoms of “die off” which can feel super bad flu-like actually. I know you can also take binders to help that as well.

  15. JJ LOPEZ says:

    If you’re able to respond I would appreciate it very much. What exactly was the estimated cost of your treatment with the ozone all together? Like total?

    Are you still doing them to this day? If so, how often. Are you still feeling better or would you say that you’re “cured”( of the condition, not the virus).

    Really though, I hope you’re still doing better these days. I know how bad this sucks. Also, it’d be nice to hear back about this, if you can. Thanks.

  16. Kristin says:

    Hello! Thank you first and foremost for these series of blog posts. I found a lot of hope and guidance in reading these. I had a question about the Lysine supplement. I recently started taking it because I heard it was helpful in fighting the tinnitus related with EBV. I was wondering if you continued taking it and if you found it helpful? If so, what dosage/how often do you take it? I’ve been saving for the last few moths and working on finding a functional medicine doctor near me that help me get to the bottom of my symptoms, but everything is leading me to believe it is EBV.

    Thank you again, I really appreciate all the information you worked so hard to compile. Blessing to you on your health journey!

    -Kristina

  17. Goranka says:

    Thank you Eliyabeth! I really appreciate your decision to post the information. You were absolutely right in presuming that it could help people with similar conditions. I have recently been diagnosed with elevated EBV IgG antibodies and your story really helped me understand what it entails and how to help myself. For a year and a half now I have been following Medical Medium protocols and I felt they made sense, But last autumn I reexperienced the fatigue, throat inframmation and subfebrile body temperature. I was exasperated. This post brings hope again. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  18. Lizzie says:

    While I am truly glad you are feeling better, it definitely gets frustrating for people who don’t have tons of money to do blood ozone treatments or go to naturopaths. I wish you would include how lucky you are to afford these treatments and possible ideas for those that can’t spend thousands. I’m lucky that I found a western medicine doctor who believes in Epstein-Barr virus reactivation and in my blog I mention ways to heal that don’t cost thousands. Your post borders on pretentious. I am a highly educated woman who unfortunately got so sick that I had to quit my job. Perhaps you could make posts about how to heal that don’t cost thousands. I am dedicated to my diet, yoga, meditation, and a handful of supplements that I feel grateful to get the help to get. Where is your gratitude that you can have such expensive help and that there’s a huge CEBV community desperate for answers that don’t cost thousands?

    • Hi Lizzie, I see your pain. Perhaps you missed the rest of the posts in this series. Post #3 called “My Epstein-Barr Natural Treatment & Healing Protocol” lists nine ways people can help to heal, most of which cost little or no money. My comments don’t allow links but you can scroll up to find that post and others. Also, ozone treatments have different costs in different places. Mine did not cost thousands. While I feel for anyone with any type of illness (that’s one of the main reasons I write this blog), I won’t apologize to anyone for the treatments I can afford. The large majority of everything I write about and teach on this blog is either inexpensive or free. Again, I see your pain. Check out that post #3 for more ideas to continue to heal. ~Elizabeth

    • LB says:

      She has said it before and I don’t think anyone should apologize for what they have access to in life. Truthfully, most people don’t make the sacrifices it would take to put their health first. I don’t have all the money in the world to put into my health but over the last several years, when we can, I try something and save up. And it isn’t her fault that things cost money. You should be more upset with the way this country handles medical costs, insurance, and pharmaceuticals. It costs you nothing to not be rude to someone or blast them because you think they are so privileged. You have no idea what someone’s life is really like. The same could go for you… others could say, “wow must be nice to have time to do yoga. must be nice to have quiet time or the ability to not be bothered. I have kids or 2 jobs or whatever.” Deal with your life and your things and leave her alone, she has been nothing but helpful.

  19. Mindy says:

    Thank you so much for this series of articles. I have been dealing with reactivated EBV for about the past 18 months, and although it’s gotten MUCH better, there have been some side effects lingering. I didn’t do the testing you talked about, but just do muscle response testing with my naturopath. I have kinda a bizarre question for you… if you have reactivated EBV, can you reactivate it in your romantic partner via kissing? This has been weighing on me a bunch, and even made me avoid dating for the first year of reactivated EBV, but am dating someone now and it would give me peace of mind to know I’m not infecting him. Did your partner get EBV from you at any point? Any input you (or anyone else) have with this would be very greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  20. Athena says:

    Thanks for the advice and I’m glad to hear that you are getting better, also I just recently have EBV last month and it just came back again this month, and coincidentally I have USANA too which my mom gave me before I decided to study abroad. Right now I’m doing some home remedies that would ease the pain of my throat also I’m a little afraid of going to the hospital because the reason why it was back again is because there are times that I would skip my doses of medicine and also I thought that since I’m getting better that’s why I think it’s okay to skip some sometimes if I forgot to take it. Anyways now that I know that there are other ways to prevent it is changing my lifestyle especially now I’m studying in a University and living in a dorm.

  21. Jana says:

    All I can say is, “Wow!” I had mono when I was 35, at least that was when it was first diagnosed. That diagnosis came after visiting 3 doctors who told me that it was normal to feel tired when you are 35 and have two little kids. But this tired was unlike any tired I had ever experienced, except perhaps when I had pneumonia as a teen. (I wonder if I had mono then that was missed?) At any rate, I eventually felt less tired and life went back to a sort of “normal”.

    I say sort of because I don’t honestly think I have been fully well for two decades. I started getting migraine headaches at 40 and these continued — 3 to 4 per month — until January of this year. I also had flare ups of mono symptoms,; maybe once per year. I quit going to the doctor for these because they give antibiotics out like candy — not blaming them, just stating a fact — and I couldn’t notice any difference between taking them and just slowing down.

    In January, I started a rigorous exercise program and started making my own yogurt. My migraines virtually disappeared. My sleep was better, though not perfect, and other minor health issues resolved.

    All was well until Monday, when I got a killer headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, etc. Another relapse of the EBV? I am so intrigued my your protocols and will try to find a local doctor (I live in a very rural area) who will do the test. I feel as if I may finally be on the verge of what could be a life-changing discovery.

    Or, at least I will know it isn’t all in my head.

    Thanks so much for sharing.

  22. Mary Donahue says:

    So I tested 6 weeks ago or so for reactivated Epstein-so I tested about 3 weeks ago with reactivated Epstein-Barr virus. I also tested for reactivated Epstein-Barr virus last summer. I also had a TSH of 16.9. I had Graves disease and a full thyroidectomy 38 years ago. I have been fighting to get my TSH levels normal for the last 18 months after being completely normal for 36 years. I am wondering if the Epstein-Barr virus ever went back and remission from last summer. I have been off work for 5 weeks now. I initially went into the doctor for running a fever and just feeling really lousy for a week. It turns out among the elevated TSH level and the reactivated Epstein-Barr virus that I also had influenza b at the same time. I feel like my body has just been attacked. Now I do feel quite a bit better than I did all those weeks ago. But I can’t do more than two hours of any activity without just feeling completely drained.

  23. Sarah Raycroft says:

    Hello! I’ve been reading your blogs about your struggle with EBV and relate on so many levels. I have suffered from fatigue and chronic headaches for about 8-10 years now. I am currently 20 and in college and constant fatigue and chronic headaches to do not mix well with the stress and fun of college, so my parents and I pursed some holistic medicine doctors about a year ago to try and get to the bottom of things since no one else has ever been able to tell us anything. Recent bloodwork revealed that my levels for mono were SKY-HIGH and that it has probably infected my body in the form of EBV and my symptoms just take place through headaches. We are beginning treatment and medication. I’m super intimidated about the life changes I’ll need to make, especially focusing on my diet and being a college student. I’m physically active, working out 3-5 times a week but I have never been where I wish to be physically due to some hormone issues that we are now wondering if is also an effect of EBV. Your story is inspiring and making this “new normal” a little less intimidating as I prepare for the next few weeks. Praying so hard my symptoms and pain goes away, while also kind of just accepting this will be something I must manage and “deal with” for the rest of my life.

    Thanks for being so vulnerable and sharing. Wish me luck haha.

  24. Pam says:

    Medical Medium is the only protocol one needs to follow. Anthony William (AW), of Medical Medium, is the original and only that has brought EBV awareness and the Celery juice movement to where it is today. AW started the healing path for millions of people decades ago by telling people to drink celery juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach; this has resulted in a global movement that is happening today. If you start drinking celery juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach – tell people where it started from – with Anthony William of Medical Medium. Medical Medium books are finally bringing to light about EBV that Anthony William has been talking about for decades. Not once have I read in any of his books refer to “reactivated EBV”!?! His latest book ‘The Liver Rescue’ should be a must read for everyone. In May 2019, he will be coming out with his new book “Celery Juice” and you can pre-order now with Amazon. Anthony even created an entire website about celery juice here – celeryjuice . com. I receive all of the Medical Medium emails, and about a month ago I received an email called ‘The Healing Benefits of Lysine.’ As Anthony William of Medical Medium has said many times; people are taking my work and trying to make it their own. Don’t be fooled – get it straight from Medical Medium.

  25. Molly J says:

    Stroke of luck finding your EBV posts! Was just looking at my lab work from last week and pondering what it all meant in terms of impact on my life. The EBV Ab IgG was 17.9, not too bad but high. However, my VCA is 399.0 and EBNA is 206.0… yeah… I almost fell off my chair. Very thankful for my ND friend for suggesting that we do a consult after complaining about “still feeling like I have mono, but my MD keeps telling me it’s all in my head and that I really just need to treat my ongoing depression”. To which we laughed, because: Like Hell I Don’t Have Depression! Last night my husband gave me a big hug and said “you were right all these years, you DO still have mono!” Um, yeah, have been telling everyone that for YEARS! HA! I had severe mono 26 years ago, with enlarged liver & spleen, mono induced hepatitis, and 5 weeks off work; when all I could do at that time was get up to the bathroom and grab small plates of food that friends left in my fridge. The medical literature is terrifying, and I have too much to accomplish to worry about lymphomas and MS! I am going the anti-viral route for now, with a load of supplements. My diet is typically very good and I have access to locally grown foods (Snoqualmie Valley BTW… just east of Seattle!), but I can certainly do much better. Will be checking in for more info and see how your journey is going!

  26. Mollie Toth says:

    It’s so interesting that you mention the connection between EBV and mycotoxins as my doctor was continuously scratching her head and saying “your immune system is battling something, but what is it?” I tested positive for mycotoxin exposure and was interested to learn that the the mold toxicity was likely causing my EBV to spike, and it was not the EBV that made me more susceptible to mold. No wonder my EBV titers have been constantly elevated! I’m anxious to see what happens when we get the mold under control and how it affects my reactivated EBV and all of the shared symptoms. While the treatment for mold is pretty simplistic (mostly binders) the hard part is figuring out all of the places that I have been exposed to it. I have also been doing OHT treatments (ozone high dose therapy) either weekly or biweekly and feel like it is responsible in helping me get over the hump.

    • Kadee says:

      Do you drink Coffee? Coffee is a huge culprit for mycotoxin exposure! Hope you are doing better and on the mend!

  27. Eddy Shera says:

    Elizabeth, so glad you are feeling better. Good for you for sticking to solving the problem. Wish I were going to Sanoviv again this year, but its not possible for me. Have a great trip! s

  28. Joan says:

    Thanks for sharing this, Elizabeth. I have similar issues, and I’ve been to a dozen doctors, mostly unhelpful. I’ve also read and tried treatments from the Medical Medium. I was just wondering about the connection between EBV and mycotoxins, as I’ve tested positive for both. I’m starting a new treatment that involves taking bentonite clay internally.

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