Talk:Epstein–Barr virus/Archive 1

Celebrities
Barbara Windsor

She suffered this virus and she (as a celebrity) had to quit the popular English soap EastEnders. Anyone else know any famous celebrities who had the virus? Good news though, she is returning this summer to the soap. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Thorpe (talk • contribs) 11:50, 29 January 2005 (UTC)

David Vetter died as a result of this virus causing cancer, and also provided the first hard evidence linking this virus to the cancer. References here and here. Eythian 05:37, 1 April 2006 (UTC)

I believe Cher, the singer, has Chronic Epstein-barr virus. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Loop87 (talk • contribs) 22:18, 5 September 2010 (UTC)

Frank Iero from the band My Chemical Romance is thought to suffer from this virus —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.211.57.6 (talk) 19:38, 2 December 2010 (UTC)

Testing/treatment
I'd like to see a small section covering this. If no one else tackles it, I will :) Also, it would be nice to see a summary of all four EBV-related antibodies (VCAG, VCAM, EA, EBNA). I think I need more time to write this stuff! Korvac 19:58, 9 November 2005 (UTC)


 * Your credentials suggest that you would be the perfect author of such a section. Heck, I wouldn't even know which antiviral would work for EBV. JFW | T@lk  20:53, 9 November 2005 (UTC)

There is some evidence to suggest that the antiviral drug Valacyclovir (aka Valtrex) is effective in the management of EBV. This drug is commonly prescribed for herpes infections such as cold sores/ genital herpes/ shingles but it appears that it is also effective against EBV since it is also a herpes virus. Valtrex effectively interferes with the virus' DNA and stops replication which allows the body to fight it off quicker. I have spoken to a few people who have tried this drug and it really worked for them - they currently take valtrex in small doses to stop the virus reactivating. There have also been a few trials of this drug for EBV and all have shown that it is indeed effective (all candidates who took the drug got better quicker - compared to those taking the placebo) One such trial - http://www.medicalpost.com/mpcontent/article.jsp?content=20060108_204056_4552


 * Which clinical manifestation of EBV are you referring to? Mononucleosis? JFW | T@lk  21:25, 1 February 2006 (UTC)


 * While Valacyclovir (an acyclovir prodrug) has some efficacy in EBV treatment, it is not generally used as a first line for immunocompetent individuals. I have heard of acyclovir being coupled with corticosteroids in the case of respiratory distress associated with tonsular inflammation in Mononucleosis. Swakeman 23:31, 9 May 2007 (UTC)

Chronic EBV
I have added the link http://cebv.info/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26. There was some dispute over this link as to whether or not it should be on Wikipedia. It is not spam, it is not my personal webpage, and it is a very helpful resource and community for people looking for more information and personal accounts on Epstein-Barr. --Theunwillingparticipant 04:01, 24 December 2005 (UTC)


 * It is a forum, not a source of information. Forums are very poor candidates for external linking. And this page is about the virus, not the "chronic EBV syndrome", better known as chronic fatigue syndrome. JFW | T@lk  23:58, 25 December 2005 (UTC)

Why EBV and not EBAV?
It would be nice to have a note explaining why the name fails to credit the third co-discoverer. Gdr 12:02, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

-- Just the way history turned out. I have heard Epstein make the very same point in a symposium (EBV 25 years on) - that Achong's contribution was not less than that of Barr. But it is unlikely that this will change - the name is too widely used.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
it talks about how the southern chinese are more prone to it since they consume a lot of smoked fish - i wonder if it is also the case with the Maori of New Zealand and Norwegians, since their diet consists mainly of smoked fish?

202.37.167.102 05:24, 10 September 2006 (UTC)

The link between smoked fish and nasopharyngeal carcinoma is purely speculation. There is no evidence that the ethnic group with the significantly higher nasopharyngeal carcinoma eats more smoked fish. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.192.92.34 (talk) 01:52, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Paul-Bunnell test
it would be nice if someone could put together a article or a small stub on paul-bunnell test which is used to detect heterophile agglutinin related to EBV

202.37.167.102 05:27, 10 September 2006 (UTC)

STD?
is EBV an STD or STI? can it be transmitted sexually? is it caused by an STD?Qrc2006 09:23, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

No, EBV is not an STD. It can not be transmitted sexually. It is not caused by an STD either. If you want more info visit cebv.weebly.com —Preceding unsigned comment added by Loop87 (talk • contribs) 22:16, 5 September 2010 (UTC) see — Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.172.135.171 (talk) 01:09, 21 November 2011 (UTC)

A bit too technical
Isn't this article a bit too technical for the average user who just wants to get a general knowledge on the subject? Ozkaplan 10:54, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

I believe this is a very alarming sign on wikipedia. We can see that it mutated from an encyclopedia that is made for everyone to read and understand to a battle field for those who would like to drown everyone else with un-needed technicality. There is no doubt that academic accuracy is vital but controversy in such articles is inevitable and there is no way to determine which opinion is the dominant. We need to stay away from such unnecessary details and keep it simple for the average Joe to read and comprehend. SHAHINOVE (talk) 09:56, 14 August 2008 (UTC)

I agree strongly. This article is unusable to the ordinary reader in its present state. David Colver (talk) 21:44, 2 October 2009 (UTC)

This is a wonderful article with lots of information and I really appreciate that. If someone wants to make it simplistic, why not put the talking points in the introduction and leave the good stuff alone? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.41.64.99 (talk) 20:41, 2 September 2011 (UTC)

A cure for epstein barr.
There is a book available on the internet by some women in America called Elisabeth Noble "Natures amaizing mononucleosis cures" who has Epsein Barr that looks quite impressive and asists sufferers with diet etc but can only be obtained with a credit card which I have not got. Exclusive books has not heard of it. If anyone can assist me in aquiring the book please contact me on my email adress: therobandrew@gmail.com


 * and what are this person's credentials? Anybody can publish a book but not every book has worthwhile information in it.

4.249.3.167 (talk) 17:18, 16 November 2009 (UTC) i agree.such info isn't likely credible.if anything refers to "natural healing" or"diet cures"it is probably not helpful.there is,however,progress in antiviral therapy for EBV mononucleosis,with valtrex and acyclovir being researched.why is there no section on the signs or symptoms caused by EBV infection,and the treatment of EBV infection?169.244.148.235 (talk) 21:28, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

incomplete
There should be a consolidated section in this article describing effects of E-B which includes links to the article on Hodgkins' Lymphoma as well as mononeucleosis. 4.249.3.167 (talk) 17:18, 16 November 2009 (UTC)

History/Discovery
It would be nice to have a more expanded history/discovery section. Currently this article only covers the (current) medical aspects of the virus. If anyone can expand on the history or discovery etc., I think that would be good. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.244.153.18 (talk) 13:16, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
 * This is a long and interesting story. It always saddens me that Bert Achong's essential contribution is rarely acknowledged. Sadly, the reliable sources I have, which includes a chapter written by Epstein, do not give these details. I remember Epstein lecturing on the subject when he said the breakthrough came when he decided to look for the virus in the fluid surrounding the samples of tissue from cases of Burkitt's lymphoma, rather than the solid tumour itself. Graham Colm (talk) 13:55, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Symptoms?
Before you like put the virus's whole genetic code on here, could someone write what it does to people? That'd be a lot more interesting reading. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.178.144.80 (talk) 04:44, 27 April 2011 (UTC)

For the vast majority of individuals, it doesn't do much of anything. Over 90% of the world is infected by adulthood, but very few of those will have any clinical symptoms at all. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.107.0.246 (talk) 00:05, 12 October 2011 (UTC)

Tagged, impossible for laymen
How do you get it? What are the signs and symptoms? How is it treated? Herp Derp (talk) 03:32, 23 August 2011 (UTC)


 * See Infectious mononucleosis. Graham Colm (talk) 11:48, 23 August 2011 (UTC)
 * I see that but the same general encyclopedia-level content is needed to be added here. Herp Derp (talk) 20:23, 25 August 2011 (UTC)

You get it very easily, via saliva. Most people are infected while they are infants/young children. For those few that do end up with IM, the usual course of treatment is to get some rest.

I think I might try to do some work on the page in the next couple of months. Does anyone object to this? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.107.0.246 (talk) 00:09, 12 October 2011 (UTC)

Not too technical for me
The article did not seem all that technical to me, especially since most of the "techie" areas were well explained. I am not in the medical profession either. Quill and Pen (talk) 19:00, 30 January 2012 (UTC)

Unusual citation
What is with citation #12 that follows "In addition, EBV codes for at least twenty microRNAs which are expressed in latently infected cells." All it says is ".The nomenclature used here is that of the Kieff lab. Other laboratories use different nomenclatures." -- was hoping to find a microRNA reference. Vokesk (talk) 22:19, 23 March 2012 (UTC)