Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is a herpes-virus. Periodontal disease is any disease of the gums. When the gums are inflamed, which happens with all periodontal diseases to some degree, they are prone to infection with EBV. There are many symptoms of EBV, and it can increase the risk of more serious illnesses. It is easily transmitted through saliva, which earned it the nickname of the "kissing disease." EBV does not spread through the air or through blood.
History
EBV was discovered in 1964. A doctor, Denis Burkitt, sent tumor samples which contained EBV to specialists in Great Britain for study. The specialists were Anthony Epstein, a pathologist, and Yvonne Barr, a virologist. Burt Achong also helped in the discovery but did not get included on the name of the virus.
Prevention
Dr. Steve Wolf, a periodontist and researcher, found that since EBV is found in sixty to seventy percent of periodontal pockets in people with severe cases of periodontitis, and fifteen to twenty percent of inflamed gum areas in people who have severe gingivitis, one of the best ways to prevent EBV is to practice good oral hygiene. In most cases, gingivitis can be cured in the early stages by simply improving oral hygiene. This means brushing and flossing daily as well as getting professional cleanings twice a year.
Effects
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that once you contract EBV, you are likely to get infectious mononucleosis. Mononucleosis causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat. There are no cures for mononucleosis.
Somewhat rarer, EBV also increases the risk of developing oral hairy leukoplakia. This is a disease that generally only affects people with compromised immune systems, but due to EBV residing in the inflammation or pockets in the gums due to periodontal disease it also increases the risk of those without compromised immunity. It causes lesions on the tongue that can be flat or hair-like. The condition is usually painless but mild pain can be present. The appearance of the lesions is the biggest downside of the condition.
Potential
In addition to the increased risk of diseases caused by EBV in the periodontal tissue, there is also an increase in the chance of Burkitt lymphoma, malignant lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The NIH and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have found cases of these conditions that were developed in patients with EBV.
Burkitt lymphoma, named after the doctor who sent the tumors to Epstein and Barr, is caused when EBV alters lymph cells, and they subsequently mutate and become cancerous. It is a subset of malignant lymphoma. Other malignant lymphomas are a type of cancer of the lymphatic system. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is cancer of the nasopharynx, which is situated behind the nose and above the throat.
Warning
According the CDC, more than ninety percent of the world's population has had EBV. While this has given immunity to EBV and mononucleosis to many people, those with periodontal disease are still at great risk of suffering prolonged damage from EBV. The Mayo Clinic has reported that when EBV lives in the gum tissue chronically, the risk for developing cancer or other diseases increases. Treatment for the periodontitis, such as root planing and scaling, can improve both the gum disease and help get rid of EBV.
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