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Mono from the Epstein-Barr virus triples the risk of multiple sclerosis
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The researchers compared people who got mono with those who didn’t
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The mono/virus combination significantly increased the risk
WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2026 (NewsDay News) – An Epstein-Barr virus infection in one case mono A single day triples the risk of multiple sclerosis, new research says.
Epstein-Barr, the herpes virus, is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, researchers said.
Now, it appears that a handful or two may increase the risk of degenerative brain disease, according to recently published findings. Neurology Open Access.
“These results highlight the need for further research on ways to prevent infection with the Epstein-Barr virus,” said the lead researcher. Jennifer Stepidemiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
“Preventing these infections can reduce the overall burden of MS,” St. Sauveur said in a news release. “Although MS is relatively rare, it carries the risk of significant disability and high treatment costs, and it usually develops when people are in their early years of working and raising families.”
For the study, researchers analyzed more than two decades of medical records to find people who tested positive for Epstein-Barr virus and infectious mononucleosis, identifying 4,721 patients.
The team compared each person with three other people of the same age and gender to see if there were any differences in MS rates.
During a median follow-up of eight years, eight people with mono developed MS, or about 0.17%.
For comparison, the 10 people who never had mono MS, but their older group meant that they only made up 0.07%.
All told, people with mono were slightly more than three times more likely to develop MS, the results showed.
“Mononucleosis is a relatively rare disease, but developing strategies to prevent infection with the virus that causes the disease could help us reduce the number of MS cases in the future,” said St. Sauver.
The researchers said these results are consistent with other studies that have linked the Epstein-Barr virus, or mononucleosis, to MS.
Researchers have not been able to say why mono, caused by Epstein-Barr, may increase the risk of MS.
They also noted that their research does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between mono and MS, but only an association.
More information
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information mononucleosis.
Source: American Academy of Neurology, release, April 1, 2026
What does this mean for you?
Anyone with mono from the Epstein-Barr virus should talk to their doctor about the possible increased risk of MS.
