Fibromyalgia Patients Found to Have Common Viruses

A doctor from Evansville, Indiana, has discovered that fibromyalgia patients are more likely to have several common viruses, which could explain why they go on to develop the condition.

MORE: Nine possible causes for fibromyalgia to discuss with your doctor

According to a report on News14.com, Dr. David Johnson, who specializes in managing pain, came up with the idea to test his fibromyalgia patients for 17 common viruses. He was surprised to find they tested positive for between three and nine of the viruses. Some of the common viruses were rotavirus, herpes, and Epstein-Barr virus.

Dr. Johnson is hoping treating the viruses with antiviral medications will help fibromyalgia patients with some of the common symptoms associated with the disease such as chronic fatigue, aches, and chills. He says some of his patients are responding well to the treatment.

MORE: Seven common medications used to treat fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

4 comments

  1. Lindsey Gentry says:

    I was diagnosed with EBV and then mono and not long after juvenile rhuematoid arthritis after presenting a large swollen knee joint. I later around age 12-14 went on to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and CFS. Now at age 30 in a 5 year period i have had 3 ankle breaks both feet, surgery, gone on to develop tachyardia upwards of 190 beats per minute, obstructive sleep apnea, have struggled for years with major depressive disorder and anxiety as well as OCD. I think there may be some truth to the epstein barr bit though in the past months an EBV Ab VCA IgG was 259 it said normal was 0.0-17.9. Not sure if this just says i had it in the past or if it has been reactivated as this last year i have become very low to non level of functioning.

  2. Joyce Dahlberg says:

    Hell try antibiotics but must take several because it is bacterial. The bacteria was thought to be a virus initially. Of course the truth must be kept quiet since fibromyalgia society and many others want to keep their jobs/status by keeping people sick.

  3. Kathy says:

    I have always thought that viral aspects of fibro were there. I have EBV, herpes simplex (cold sores) and have have Had Chicken Pox (varicella). I have asked My Doctor about Viruses and he doesn’t Know. I Asked tHe question to people on this site and was amazed at how many others have the same viruses that I have. My next question is, Why aren’t we trying an antiviral medication to help with this. What could it hurt?!
    For the record, antibiotics do NOT help viruses.

Leave a Comment