Well, got a few minutes to pop online and do a little reading about EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) and learned that…

• EBV is part of the herpes family (like cold sores)
• approximately 90% of North Americans are infected with EBV
• transmission is generally oral (via saliva)
• most people are infected in childhood
• initial infection may or may not cause recognizable symptoms
• after initial infection, the EBV virus stays dormant in host cells for the rest of a person’s life

I also learned that, in children, its symptoms are often confused with other common ailments like the flue, while in adolescent and adult patients, it manifests as mononucleosis (or mono-like symptoms)…

• sore throat
• swollen glands
• fever
• muscle aches
• lethargy/fatigue

If what I’ve read online is true, it usually takes approximately 7 to 8 months for EBV to progress from infection, through its active state (causing symptoms),  to its dormant state. I also read that EBV can cause serious problems like enlargement of the spleen, and that its been linked to some funky cancers but, without reason to believe that they are an immediate threat to me, I’m not likely to worry too much about that.

So, Dr. Dreamy was right in a way when he said he had ‘good news’, and I’d like to accept his diagnosis and go blithely on with life. Unfortunately, if I understand what I’ve been reading about EBV, its likely that at some point or another I’d have suffered mono-like symptoms and I don’t recall ever going through anything like that.. at least not to the degree I’ve seen others suffer from mono. Also, since my health seems to have taken a slight decline since around February, it’s likely that by now I should be feeling better, but I’m not.

Perhaps the best thing to do, though, is to try to accept this verdict, track symptoms and changes, and give it some time. If I don’t start feeling better in a month or two, then perhaps I can go back and see if he still thinks EBV is the answer (?)