New research suggests that among 185 COVID-19 patients in the United States found the majority of ‘long haulers’ tested positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. That the subset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in long COVID triggers the reactivation of EBV.
Epstein-Bar virus is one of the most common viral infections out there. The vast majority of people around the world contract the virus at some point in their lives, and after the acute infection phase, an inactive version of the virus sticks around in the body for a lifetime.
While diseases and autoimmune conditions other than COVID-19 are known to trigger EBV reactivation, the authors say SARS-CoV-2 appears particularly good at poking this viral beast.