4 Hidden Viruses Triggering Chronic Fatigue & Autoimmune Problems

Written by Dr. Trevor Eason

In my practice at Revive Health, I regularly speak with patients who feel like they’re constantly running on empty, no matter how much rest they get. They describe waking up each day feeling like “a train hit them,” and find themselves needing caffeine or sugary foods just to get through the day. While many might brush this off as just a part of getting older, the reality could be underlying viral infections that are affecting their health.

These hidden viruses are often the missing link when it comes to chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders, and other seemingly unrelated health issues. These infections can linger in the body for months or even years, reactivating and wreaking havoc when you least expect it.

But with the right functional medicine approach, you can get to the root cause and start reclaiming your health.

What Are Viral Infections?

Viral infections are not just your typical cold or flu. What I’m talking about here are chronic viral infections that stay dormant in the body, often undetected, but cause significant issues when reactivated. While they can stay hidden for long periods, these infections often resurface during times of stress or other health disruptions, like gut imbalances, chronic fatigue, or weakened immune systems.

The viruses most commonly responsible for long-term health issues in my clinic are members of the herpes family. When most people hear “herpes,” they think of cold sores or sexually transmitted infections, but there are actually eight types of herpesviruses that can infect humans.

While the symptoms of these viruses can be varied, they share the potential to trigger chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, and cognitive decline.

The four most common herpes viruses linked to chronic health problems are:

1. Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)/Human Herpes Virus 3 (HHV-3)

2. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)/Human Herpes Virus 4 (HHV-4)

3. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)/Human Herpes Virus 5 (HHV-5)

4. Human Herpes Virus Type 6 (HHV-6)

The Viral-Fatigue Connection

One of the most frequent offenders in my practice is Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). This virus is responsible for mononucleosis, but it doesn’t stop there. EBV can remain dormant in the body for years before reactivating, and it has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and autoimmune diseases, particularly Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that can cause fatigue and other debilitating symptoms. Studies have shown a strong connection between EBV and CFS, as well as its role in autoimmune thyroid problems.

The key with EBV—and other viruses like CMV and HHV-6—is that they don’t always show their true impact right away. Many of us carry these viruses in a dormant state, only for them to reactivate when triggered by stress, imbalances in the gut, or other autoimmune factors.

This is where a functional medicine approach, like the one we use at Revive Health, can help identify these hidden viral infections and start treating them from the root.

Learn more about acute dysautonomia, a sudden onset of autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Health Problems Caused by Viral Infections

Since the symptoms of viral infections often mimic other common health issues, they can be difficult to diagnose and treat. However, the following health problems have been clinically linked to underlying viral infections:

Brain Issues

• Depression and Mood Disorders: There’s increasing evidence connecting viruses like CMV and EBV to mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and even bipolar disorder.

• Chronic Fatigue: EBV is directly linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, causing debilitating exhaustion and fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.

• Autoimmune Conditions

• Autoimmune Thyroid Issues: Latent EBV has been shown to hide in thyroid tissue and reactivate, triggering autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s disease, which is a leading cause of chronic fatigue.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): EBV is also associated with a higher risk of developing MS, a neurological autoimmune disease.

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): CMV is one of the primary viral triggers for GBS, a condition that causes nerve pain and muscle weakness.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): CMV and HHV-6 have been linked to the severity of conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Cognitive Decline

• Viruses like CMV are now being studied for their role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Research suggests that these viruses may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and accelerate cognitive decline.

Addressing Viral Chronic Fatigue with Functional Medicine

If you suspect an underlying viral infection is contributing to your chronic fatigue or autoimmune condition, functional medicine offers tools to help you address it. At Revive Health, we use a comprehensive approach to support your body’s immune system, reduce inflammation, and treat viral infections at their source.

Here are some key steps we take to help our patients recover:

1. Viral Labs and Testing
   We recommend testing to assess the presence of viral infections like EBV, CMV, and others. Through comprehensive lab work, we can determine if these infections are active or dormant in your system, and tailor your treatment plan accordingly.

2. Support Methylation
   Methylation plays a crucial role in immune function and detoxification. Infections like EBV can interfere with this process, so supporting methylation with B vitamins and other nutrients can help your body better manage these infections.

3. Immune Support and Supplements
   A strong immune system is essential for controlling viral infections. At Revive Health, we recommend high-quality supplements like fish oil (for anti-inflammatory benefits), vitamin D (to modulate immune response), and herbslike astragalus and olive leaf extract to support your body’s fight against viruses.

4. Gut Healing
   The gut is home to a large portion of your immune system. If you have chronic viral infections, addressing gut health with proper nutrition and probiotics is key to reducing inflammation and improving your body’s immune response.

5. Stress Management
   Emotional and physical stress can trigger the reactivation of latent viruses like EBV. Using stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness, yoga, and breathwork can help prevent these viruses from resurfacing.

6. Detoxification
   Toxins such as mold, heavy metals, and other environmental stressors can exacerbate viral reactivation. We focus on detoxification strategies using food, supplements, and lifestyle practices to help cleanse the body and reduce viral load.

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Taking Control of Your Health

At Revive Health, we understand how debilitating chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions can be. If you’re struggling with unexplained fatigue, autoimmune conditions, or viral-related health issues, schedule a consultation today to learn how our approach can help you start your healing journey.

Let’s work together to get to the bottom of what’s really going on and put you on the path to true wellness.