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Infectious disease researchers now believe that a co-infection with malaria parasite and the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) can increase the mortality of malaria patients. According to a study, "Malaria and Epstein-Barr Virus: A Lethal Combination", which was published in PLoS Pathogens in May, this could explain why young children are susceptible to severe malaria.

Children in sub-Saharan Africa become infected by Epstein-Barr virus in infancy and it is quite difficult to distinguish from other mild childhood illnesses. The authors of the report say, “Almost all African children will be infected with both Epstein-Barr virus and malaria by the age of 6-12 months. Because both of these infections occur around the same time in these children, many are at a high risk for co-infection before the age of 1.”

Co-senior author of the study, Tracey Lamb, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, said EBV can produce a weeks-long suppression of the immune system. Their tests with mice show that infection with a gammaherpesvirus compromises the animal’s immune response and subsequent infection with Plasmodium parasites often leads to severe malarial anemia, and even death. The study suggests that malaria complications that often lead to deaths may be partially due to EBV infection.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that “Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4, is a member of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common human viruses. EBV is found all over the world. Most people get infected with EBV at some point in their lives.”

On its part, the Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD) states that, while malaria is not a risk for those who live in the United States and other Western nations, EBV is still a dangerous virus. While there is no EBV vaccine, the CBCD recommends that in light of the medical evidence, infected individuals take Gene-Eden-VIR or Novirin. The formula of these natural, antiviral supplements was designed to help the immune system target the latent EBV.

Studies showed that the Novirin formula is effective against the herpes family of viruses. The Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes family. The clinical studies were published in the peer reviewed, medical journal, Pharmacology & Pharmacy, the first, in a special edition on Advances in Antiviral Drugs.