User talk:Arvahill

Epstein–Barr virus 1. Kudos to Wikipedia staff and to those including the current author 'Kadoshim' for this urgently needed revision of 'Epstein Barr' virus. Prior postings under various titles lagged accelerating knowledge. 2. The scope of the "WikiProject Viruses" is unknown, but STRONGLY encourage Wikipedia to insure the designation of "High-importance' for this entry. 3.  Why an escalation of importance in the Encyclopedia of Wikipedia?  a. Without digress into a plethora of subjective and the latest viral science, it summarizes to say that EBV is both the most 'unrecognized' infectious disease agent of man yet is rapidly being identified as the most common infectious disease.  From literature citing EBV as infecting circa 50% of the population,  recognition of an infection rate approaching (or indeed) 100% in humans has belatedly evolved over the past 5 to 10 years.  At least this revision 'drags' Wikipedia forward with the cautious:  "....about half of all five-year-old children and 90 to 95 percent of adults".  Recent science points towards an infection rate of nearly 100% as infants whence the virus becomes 'invisible' / sequestered in oro-pharyngeal epithelium and lymphocytes with little or no viral antigen to evoke an immune response until older. b. The BIG Picture:  Most important is the rapidly expanding LIST of EBV DISEASE(s), names accumulated like topsy under the umbrella of ignorance, an 'EBV Hydra'. This article should be clarified and greatly expanded from the overly cautious "certain autoimmune diseases,[2] especially dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome,[3][4] and multiple sclerosis.[5]"  The reader, especially students starting to learn biology from this invaluable site, should no longer be confused by all the 'Heads' with endless names to memorize when ONE virus, EBV is the infectious agent. The wording starting with "certain autoimmune diseases" is confusing. In reality, what is 'auto-immune' disease? When 'lumped' as an 'auto-immune' disease despite a paucity of objective criteria this invites another generation of ignorance re the true public health problem related to this virus. Revision should be effected to note that 'many diseases designated as auto-immune have been associated with EBV', but Wikipedia should not be used as an certification of such. Wording is everything....... 4. Important Leadership opportunity for Wikipedia: a. Truly implement the Wikipedia / Outline format which serves to TEACH, not just promote more nouns and URL search terms. b. Headings should start with the Human Herpes Virus family (HHV) and with rigorous EDITORIAL coordination to organize each member virus, e.g. HHV-4: Epstein Barr Virus. Help the student to LEARN with a standardized format which threads HHV-3: Varicella-zoster as an infectious disease yet linked to HHV-3: Shingles and helps to elucidate why HHV-6: Roseola virus is also linked to the disease, Multiple Sclerosis. c. Disease Names:  Nomenclature such as HHV-4: EBV : Multiple Sclerosis, HHV-4:EBV: Burkitts Lymphoma, HHV-4:EBV : Mononucleosis, etc. should become a tool for learning rather than propagating endless lists of 'What's in a Name?".  d.  Common Pathophysiology:  Furthering the above, the student should be encouraged to learn from the 'thread' of HHV >specific virus > pathophysiology > disease identifier, e.g. HHV-4: EBV / Oncology / Burkitt's Lymphoma or HHV-4: EBV / Auto-immunity / Dermatomyositis.

This current revision for "Epstein-Barr Virus" offers an important opportunity for the use of educated and effective EDITORIAL tools to contribute to the medical knowledge and health care related to the HHV family. Wikipedia can provide an alternative to moving the 'Hydra of proper nouns' associated with EBV and the HHV family from endless textbooks into another forest of URL pages. ````