Lynn E. DeLisi, MD; John I. Nurnberger, MD, PhD; Lynn R. Goldin, PhD; et al
“The clinical syndrome infectious mononucleosis, known to be caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, classically is described as a generalized malaise with fatigue, pharyngitis, and enlarged lymph nodes; however, depression also commonly accompanies these symptoms. In some cases the depression and constitutional symptoms may last for several months, and even years, after acute physical symptoms subside.1 ”
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/493868
Viral Infections and Depression
“We are living in the Dark Ages of health, where we are surrounded by thousands of contagious viruses, bacteria and other pathogens in the environment that use our bodies as their long-term home. Once these microbes have insinuated themselves into our metabolisms, they frequently remain there for life, where they can slowly (or sometimes rapidly) degrade our physical and mental health. Most of the time this health degradation is subtle and subclinical. We may not realize it, but even in a “healthy” individual, pathogens living in their body’s tissues will subtly reduce that person’s mental and physical faculties, so that they will never reach their complete genetic potential.”
PDF – daat12i1p188
Study Links Virus, Depression – Chicago Tribune
“Preliminary evidence indicating that a chronic virus infection may be associated with severe depression was presented Monday at the 140th meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. Although the findings were greeted cautiously by other scientists, they tend to follow a promising new path in psychiatry in which researchers are finding that the immune system and brain can affect each other.”