The Case: Patti is a physically fit 42 year-old. She was experiencing fatigue, brain fog, the strangest part - exercise that used to energize her was now making her more tired. Extensive tests proved her thyroid was not to blame so we had to dig deeper in to her health history. The Investigation Despite having typical symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, Patti’s levels were well within the normal range. With that off the table, we had to really think outside the box. I started to wonder if it might be an infection or some sort of virus. That’s when I looked into Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). According to the CDC, “ 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.” It’s estimated that 90% of the population are infected with EBV at some point in there life. There’s no medical treatment but there are some natural health options that can speed up recovery. One of the leaders in developing a natural approach to EBV is Dr. Kasia Kines. Kasia is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and the CEO of EBV Educational Institute and Holistic Nutrition Naturally. She’s also the author of the Amazon best-seller The Epstein-Barr Virus Solution. She joins me on the show to discuss the symptoms and solutions for this very common problem. It’s a Global Issue This virus has been around for a long time and scientists have been searching for a vaccination since it’s discovery. Nothing has been found. Most Doctors Completely Dismiss EBV Despite the virus being very well known, many conventional doctors miss the symptoms. Some doctors don’t even want to test the blood for EBV markers. Symptoms Range Greatly In an acute episode, symptoms can resemble a really bad flu including feeling achy, swollen lymph nodes, and scratchy throat. This is the typical presentation of ‘mono’. At a chronic level, the symptoms could be fatigue, exercise intolerance, brain fog, hypersensitivity to mosquito bites, and can even develop into autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Crohn’s, or Hashimoto’s. There are Four Antibodies to Look For Once you get the right labs (blood tests) you can use this graph (from Dr. Kines’ website) to determine what your lab results indicate.   Even After Recovering from Mono, the Virus Can Hang Around While you may feel fully recovered from ‘mono, the virus can stick around. It doesn’t live in the bloodstream, it only comes into the bloodstream when it reactivates (usually when the immune system is challenged). If the virus is not taken care of, it can go deeper into the organs, tissues, joints, and even the brain. MYTH: EBV is Not Treatable Many doctors believe that nothing can be done about acute or chronic EBV. But, this is not true. It is reversible with nutrition modification, environmental toxins exposure reduction, and a lifestyle shift away from stress. This is key because the virus really responds to stress hormones. In addition, specific supplements have proven helpful (see below) and in some cases, reducing exercise may also speed up the recovery process. Eliminating Health Mysteries For Patti we were able to identify the underlying issue behind her health mystery. Patti reduced her usual workout to very light exercise, shifted her diet, got a lot more rest, and took additional supplements to support fighting the virus. After 3 months, she felt a lot better. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life? Remember, the presentation of EBV is very individual. If you suspect this might be what’s behind your unexplained health issues, it’s worth exploring. Note that if you follow the EBV protocol, you should notice a change in a couple of weeks. If you don’t, then this might not be the answe