Viral Infection In Teenage Years May Lead To Onset Of Multiple Sclerosis Later In Life

Nov, 2021 - By SMI

According to a study, severe Infectious mononucleosis (IM) throughout childhood, especially through adolescence, seems to be a risk factor of following multiple sclerosis (MS) independent of genetic factor.

Multiple sclerosis is normally detected in people in their late 20s, caused by genetic and environmental factors. A new research indicated that severe infections during adolescence such as glandular fever are related to high rate of following MS diagnoses. Moreover, concerns are raised regarding to COVID-19 infection leading to increase in cases of multiple sclerosis. Some studies suggest viral infections are the only cause of MS, while growing number of evidences suggest serious viral infection in young age can onset the disease in people who are already vulnerable. The suggestion is based on the idea where viral infection stimulates extreme immune response that causes brain nerve damage by immune cells, which progresses until the symptoms of MS become evident after a long period of severe infection.

The Scientists studied people born during 1958 to 1994 in Sweden and subjects aging 20 years were assessed through 1978 to 2018 for following multiple sclerosis diagnosis. In this study, the scientists found that people affected by infection before the age of 11 did not diagnose with MS. However, infections occurred through the age of 11 to 19 were steadily related to enhanced risk of MS. Pneumonia, mononucleosis or infections that normally affect central nervous system are responsible for the increased risk of MS.

The scientists also studied link between infectious mononucleosis, which is commonly known as glandular fever caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and it was found that viral infection definitely plays an important role in the onset of MS, independent of any genetic factor. The scientists explained, these results provide wider knowledge about factors that could heighten the risk of multiple sclerosis, and it can be considered that appearance of neurological symptoms after severe infection in teenage as a potential MS diagnosis.