What disease increases multiple sclerosis risk by 32 times?

Infectious mononucleosis increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis by 32 times, scientists from Harvard University made this conclusion.

The causative agent of infectious mononucleosis is Epstein-Barr virus, which is present in almost 80% of the world population.

The presence of other infections did not negatively affect the development of multiple sclerosis.

To find out which diseases might influence the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, scientists followed the occurrence of the disease among 10 million US Army soldiers for 20 years. Volunteers had regular blood tests for Epstein-Barr virus.

Nearly 1,000 were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. An analysis of the patients showed that Epstein-Barr virus holders were 32 times more likely to get multiple sclerosis.

The hypothesis that this virus provokes multiple sclerosis has been investigated by experts for a long time. If such a link does exist, it means that most cases of this disease can be prevented by freeing a person from the Epstein-Barr virus.