Benefits of Virus Exposure on Immune System Development

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Vaccinating against EBV is challenging due to its easy spread and high infectivity at a young age. Despite efforts by researchers like Tony Epstein, the difficulty in justifying mass vaccination persists. However, the emergence of mRNA vaccines post-COVID has reignited interest in the field. Some believe that completely eliminating the virus might have adverse effects on the immune system, as the virus could have played a role in developing immunity over time.

On 28 March it’s the 60th anniversary of the discovery of Epstein-Barr virus, the most common viral infection in humans. The virus was first discovered in association with a rare type of cancer located in Africa, but is now understood to be implicated in 1% of cancers, as well as the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis, among others. Ian Sample meets Lawrence Young, professor of molecular oncology at Warwick Medical School, to hear the story of this virus, and how understanding it might help us prevent and treat cancer and other illnesses.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod