That Teenage Bout of Mono May Have a Troubling Second Act
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- A new study from the Mayo Clinic found that individuals diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis (mono) caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are three times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life compared to those without mono.
- The research analyzed medical records of 4,721 people with confirmed EBV-related mono and compared them to 14,163 matched controls, following both groups for six to eight years to assess MS risk.
- While EBV infection is nearly universal, only a small percentage of those infected develop MS, and mono is a common but usually mild manifestation of EBV infection, primarily affecting teens and young adults.
- The study reinforces the link between EBV-positive mono and increased MS risk but emphasizes that most people with mono do not develop MS, indicating the presence of other complex factors in MS development.
- Researchers stress the urgent need for vaccines to prevent EBV infection or its severe manifestations to reduce the risk of MS and advocate for continued efforts in developing effective preventive strategies.
