Epstein-Barr Virus Infections: Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later

Infectious mononucleosis has been recognized as a unique disease for more than 100 years and its cause, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), was discovered more than 50 years ago.  Yet, there is no licensed vaccine and no clear-cut effective treatment for infections due to EBV. This webinar will explain why. We will cover: the clinical findings and laboratory tests for diagnosing and staging primary EBV infection; the mechanisms EBV uses to induce cancer and autoimmune diseases, especially multiple sclerosis; research approaches to prevention of EBV infection. Essentially all of us acquire EBV during our lifetime. Is it better to get it sooner or later? What do you think?

Learning objectives:

• At the conclusion of this webinar, you should be better able to:
• Evaluate the clinical findings and laboratory tests used to diagnose EBV infection.
• Discuss the probable mechanisms of EBV-spurred cancers and autoimmune disease.
• Assess approaches to prevention of EBV infections.