Does EBV cause MS? (video)

In early 2022, a longitudinal study looked at the relationship between EBV and multiple sclerosis. Since the study was published, many articles have popped up asking, “Does EBV cause MS?” We will review the data and use two medical lenses to answer this question.

EBV and Multiple Sclerosis – Longitudinal Study Stats

The longitudinal analysis evaluated data from 10 million active-duty personnel. It compares 955 soldiers diagnosed with MS to a similar sample of soldiers who were not diagnosed with MS. The two groups were then evaluated for EBV. According to the study:

94.7% of the military personnel were EBV positive when first enlisted. Of the 5.3% that didn’t have EBV before enlisting. Of those, every soldier that got MS but one, also contracted EBV an average of five years prior to diagnosis.

That meant that, if EBV is common in 95% of the general population, it went up to 97% for people recently diagnosed with MS.

So, reviewing these figures, can we assume that EBV causes or contributes to MS? Well, it depends on how we compare the numbers and the medical theory we use to understand how viruses affect us.

The Primary Medical Views regarding Viruses and Illness

There are two primary medical views to understand the relationship between viruses and disease are germ and terrain theory. These two theories were developed in the mid-1800s with the evolution of the microscope. The main difference between these theories is that in germ theory, we assume germs, viruses, and microbes invade the body and make us sick.  We need to avoid them where ever possible. In contrast, in terrain theory, these organisms are already in the body and help our cells in certain vital functions. They only contribute to illness when the body’s cells are already ill.

The process of getting infected by a virus and ill as a result is also significantly different.

The Process of Getting Infected and Ill

In germ theory, a virus enters the body through the mouth, respiratory tract, eyes, genitals, and broken skin. These viruses can be active and cause harm or be dormant and not cause damage for a period of time. It is not clear why some people have no symptoms or why, in many cases, viruses can remain dormant for years.

In the case of terrain theory, the majority of viruses already live in your bodies and collaborate with your cells. We collect them from the day we were conceived until the day we die. In our mothers’ womb, the birth canal, during lactation, licking toys and eating dirt, our first kiss, and sexual activity. We don’t become ill because of the viruses, even with the common cold, unless our cells have become unhealthy. When your cells become unhealthy due to physical, social, and mental overload, viruses become harmful.

Thus, the health strategy under germ theory is to avoid, vaccinate, and eliminate. While the health strategy under terrain theory is to restore the body’s cells and microbes back to health.

What is the Relationship – Does EBV Cause MS?

Thus using germ theory, you usually catch EBV as a child or early adult. The virus does not affect the majority of the population. It is considered ‘dormant’. In the case of MS, EBV is thought to become activated after a few years. As there is one case of MS in the study that never got EBV, we can say it can be a factor in MS but it does not the cause.

Using terrain theory, its estimated that more than 50% of children already have antibodies for EBV before the age of 7. It is one of the many viruses that live in our bodies.  In the case of MS, EBV adds to the physical burden on the body cells. The virus is not the cause of the body getting sick, but it can contribute if the body is already overloaded. The cause of the body getting sick is the increased physical, mental, and social burdens over time.

Interestingly, if you look at the EBV study more closely, “the strong association between EBV and MS was present only for those with recent infection.” (Horwitz et al, 2022). Thus, here is an example of a physical overload that adds to the mental and social burden triggering multiple sclerosis.

The Germ-Terrain Duality Theory

A third theory, the germ-terrain duality theory, combines both lenses. Under this theory, the interest is in sustaining both a healthy internal and external environment. This combined theory can better explain the relationship between EBV and MS.

Thus, in combination we see that it is not just a virus or toxins in our food that cause multiple sclerosis but the overload of both of these external loads along with the internal stressors.  Looking at the theories combined, EBV doesn’t trigger MS, but it can be contributing to the stressors already taxing your immune system.  The theories together also explain why the virus causes no symptoms in most people and severe symptoms in others whose bodies might already be overtaxed. And what might cause long COVID. If the body is not already overloaded, the immune system can manage viruses easily. If the body has been overloaded for some time, the virus causes physical stress. Then, perhaps months or years later, an additional stressor either external or internal, pushes the immune system over the edge and it flares up.

Though you might have already begun to address the external overload by detoxing, enriching your nutrient intake, and moving the body more, have you considered what you might be able to do to change the internal environment? 

Interestingly enough, those diagnosed with MS have similar internal stressors. That is similar beliefs, behaviors, and childhood experiences that contribute to the internal overload.  I call these the MS Personality.  Want to learn more?