| Most doctors will recommend rest and fluids for | | | | antibiotics may be warranted. Replenishing the healthy |
| Epstein Barr virus treatment. In some cases, | | | | gastrointestinal flora with probiotics is recommended |
| especially if there are complications, medical drugs | | | | after the course of antibiotics has been finished. |
| may be prescribed. | | | | Antivirals |
| Let's have a look at the most commonly prescribed | | | | Antivirals like acyclovir have been used in studies with |
| drugs for the treatment of EBV. | | | | conflicting results. The current advice is that acyclovir |
| Pain relievers | | | | should not be used in uncomplicated cases of EBV. |
| To relieve the pain of a sore throat, headache or | | | | Corticosteroids |
| muscle aches, pain relievers like acetaminophen or | | | | Corticosteroids may be prescribed when there are |
| ibuprofen may be recommended. | | | | serious complications like swelling of the airways, |
| Aspirin should never be used in Epstein Barr virus | | | | hepatitis (liver inflammation), hemolytic anemia (red |
| treatment, particularly in children under the age of 16 | | | | blood cell destruction), severe thrombocytopenia |
| due to its association with Reye's syndrome - a | | | | (decreased blood platelets) or nerve or heart |
| potentially fatal inflammation of the brain and liver. | | | | problems. Corticosteroids are potentially life-saving but |
| Antibiotics | | | | should not be used long term because of side |
| Antibiotics are of no use in treating EBV, since these | | | | effects like immune suppression. |
| drugs only target bacteria not viruses. In fact using | | | | There are natural alternatives to using drugs for |
| antibiotics like ampicillin or amoxicillin can result in the | | | | Epstein Barr virus treatment. Boosting the immune |
| appearance of a pink or red measles-like skin rash on | | | | system with vitamins, minerals, herbs, homeopathics, |
| the body. | | | | a healthy diet and stress management are effective |
| If a serious secondary bacterial infection like | | | | treatment options without the side effects of |
| bronchitis or pneumonia develops then the use of | | | | conventional medication. |