From NBC News: One of the most common viruses in the world could be the cause of lupus, an autoimmune disease with wide-ranging symptoms, according to a study published Wednesday.
Until now, lupus was somewhat mysterious: No single root cause of the disease had been found, and there is no designated treatment for it.
The research, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggests that Epstein-Barr virus — which 95% of people acquire at some point in life — could cause lupus by driving the body to attack its own healthy cells.
It adds to mounting evidence that Epstein-Barr is associated with multiple long-term health issues, including other autoimmune conditions. As this evidence stacks up, scientists have accelerated calls for a vaccine that targets the virus.
An autoimmune attack for a lupus patient can result in extreme fatigue, joint pain and skin rashes. In rare cases, life-threatening or fatal issues can develop, such as kidney damage, or a weakened immune system that prevents the body from fighting off infections.
Dr. William Robinson, a co-author of the new study and chief of the division of immunology and rheumatology at Stanford University, said the connection to the Epstein-Barr virus solves a major piece of the puzzle, as this has been suspected for some time.
The Mayo Clinic describes the symptoms of Lupus as follows:
No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.
The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:
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Fatigue
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Fever
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Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
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Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body
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Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
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Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
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Shortness of breath
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Chest pain
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Dry eyes
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Headaches, confusion and memory loss
Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells in systemic lupus erythematosus | Science Translational Medicine https://t.co/trkcOLUjLB
— Jeffrey Dunn MD (@JeffreyDunnMD) November 13, 2025
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One of the most common viruses in the world could be the cause of lupus, an autoimmune disease with wide-ranging symptoms, according to a study. https://t.co/AgvKimbM2l
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 13, 2025
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