In February of 2008, I was diagnosed with Chronic Epstein Barr Virus.  I've never had mono and the symptoms have been on going for seven years.  Now, seven years ago, my brother had Mono.  I had been staying with him at this time, so it's possible that I contracted it from him through sharing drinks or taking a bite off of his fork or spoon and vise versa.

Upon diagnosis, I felt relief.  One, I wasn't nuts.  Two, it all began to make sense.  I run low grade fevers and feel like I have the flu most of the time.  What made me go to the Doctor - again - was the Chronic Fatigue that seem to follow me every where, no matter what I did and didn't do.  There is a flight of stairs at work that, normally, I bounce up with no problems.  However, some days, I'm leaning against the railing, struggling to pull myself up and wondering if I'm going to make it.  there are so many symptoms and issues that it's hard to sit here and think of all of them.

 When I contract a cold or the flu, it takes me five times longer to recover than everyone else.  This also seems to pull the virus out of remission and start the cycle all over again.  My immune system is seemingly non-existant at this point.

During Christmas of 2006, I came down with a horrible cold.  It was May of the following year before I felt like I could breathe again.  Also, in April of 2007, I miscarried.  I can't help but wonder if this virus contributed to that in some way.  It's strange, but I still have morning sickness every morning.  It's as if the symptoms never went away. 

I praise God that I have never had to quit my job.  I work with a wonderful group of people in an Internationally known Corporation, who have been understanding and allowed me to do what I need to do.  They've also made it possible for me to work from home when I need to do so.  I feel for those that have not been as fortunate.

 Additionally, I've been blessed with an understanding Doctor who thought, at the last minute (as the blood samples were going out the door), to test for EVB.