is ebv an std?

Once you’ve contracted EBV, the virus remains inactive within your body for the rest of your life. This is called latency.

In some cases, the virus can reactivate. In many people, it does not usually cause symptoms.

But in others, it can cause chronic or serial infections.

Reactivated EBV may cause symptoms similar to those of an initial EBV infection in people who have a weakened immune system.

EBV and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses.

However, a research study from 2021 and another from 2022 suggest that inflammation caused by COVID-19 may cause EBV reactivation in some people.

Some people hospitalized with COVID-19 were also found to have reactivated EBV as well.

Long COVID, also known as post-COVID 19 condition, and EBV reactivation have many symptoms in common. The above studies suggest that EBV reactivation may cause some of the symptoms of long COVID.

It’s important to note that EBV is not the only health condition associated with long COVID. Having type 2 diabetes or certain antibodies associated with autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis may also be linked to developing long COVID. A high viral load, or the amount of the virus in your blood early in the infection, is also considered a risk factor.

Mono is a very common infectious disease. More than 90% of Americans are infected with it by age 35. It mainly affects teenagers and young adults, but children can also contract it. For most people, mono isn't very serious and will improve over time with proper treatments.

Symptoms can include:

These symptoms can disrupt your daily life, making it difficult to focus on school or work. Generally, people who contract mono recover in about two to four weeks. For some, the fatigue may last longer, up to six months after getting sick.

Mono is very contagious. About 90% of mono cases are the result of EBV, which stays in its inactive form in your body even after you recover. Most likely, people will only develop mono once, but if EBV reactivates, it usually doesn't cause additional symptoms. That being said, you could potentially spread it to others, and people with compromised immune systems may develop symptoms more than once in their lifetime.

Beyond EBV, other viruses that cause mono include:

There is no vaccine for mono. Treatment revolves around doing what you can to alleviate and manage your symptoms. This means drinking lots of fluids, taking over-the-counter medications to relieve fever or pain, and getting lots of rest. You should also avoid contact sports that could potentially cause your spleen to rupture. Healthcare providers may also recommend that you avoid penicillin antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, if you have infectious mono.

To make a diagnosis, your medical provider will assess your symptoms and check for swollen lymph nodes in your neck. They can usually determine when someone has mono by symptoms alone. You may need blood tests if you don't have a typical case of mono.

EBV is a kind of herpes virus. Keep in mind this is different from HSV, which causes oral and genital herpes, but both can be transmitted through sexual contact. Typically, EBV is spread through bodily fluids. This can mean genital secretions from sexual contact, blood, and saliva.

A common way of transmitting the virus is by sharing drinks or eating utensils. Condomless sex and kissing are easy ways to spread mono as well. You can also get mono through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or being in close proximity to another person who is sneezing or coughing.

A 2007 article in the The Journal of Infectious Diseases took a look at the history of our understanding of EBV. The authors found that it took awhile for EBV to be regarded as readily as other herpes viruses in the discussion of common sexually transmitted viruses.

"Of the 8 human herpes viruses, four can be sexually transmitted. These 4 viruses—HSV, CMV, KSHV, and EBV—present a spectrum of sexual transmissibility and pathogenic consequences and differ greatly in both respects," the paper authors write.

It's important to clarify that mono can be considered an STD, but not all cases are a result of sexual transmission. More regularly, it is transmitted through saliva. You are more likely to be at risk by sharing a glass of water or using common eating utensils with someone who has mono. If you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms or think you may have been exposed, contact your physician or medical provider to assess your symptoms.

Yes, Epstein-Barr virus can be a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but not every case is an STI. The virus can spread through bodily fluids like blood or semen, but most often spreads via saliva. EBV can lead to infectious mononucleosis that is sometimes called “the kissing disease.”

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. EBV spreads most commonly through bodily fluids, primarily saliva. EBV can cause infectious mononucleosis, also called mono, and other illnesses.

Symptoms of EBV infection can include

Many people become infected with EBV in childhood. EBV infections in children usually do not cause symptoms, or the symptoms are not distinguishable from other mild, brief childhood illnesses. People who get symptoms from EBV infection, usually teenagers or adults, get better in two to four weeks. However, some people may feel fatigued for several weeks or even months.

After you get an EBV infection, the virus becomes latent (inactive) in your body. In some cases, the virus may reactivate. This does not always cause symptoms, but people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop symptoms if EBV reactivates.

EBV spreads most commonly through bodily fluids, especially saliva. However, EBV can also spread through blood and semen during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantations.

EBV can be spread by using objects, such as a toothbrush or drinking glass, that an infected person recently used. The virus probably survives on an object at least as long as the object remains moist.

The first time you get infected with EBV (primary EBV infection) you can spread the virus for weeks and even before you have symptoms. Once the virus is in your body, it stays there in a latent (inactive) state. If the virus reactivates, you can potentially spread EBV to others no matter how much time has passed since the initial infection.

Diagnosing EBV infection can be challenging because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses. EBV infection can be confirmed with a blood test that detects antibodies. About nine out of ten of adults have antibodies that show that they have a current or past EBV infection.

For more information, see Laboratory Testing.