A Study of the Contribution of Common Virus in Activation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The author observed a significant overlap (over 40 percent) when comparing key symptoms for Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/cfs) with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The conclusion of the observation is achieved by using simple, patient completed charts and/or patient anecdotes. The problem is that patients struggle even with such simple tasks and it is estimated that approximately 55 percent of ADHD patients develop dementia or other mental illnesses when not diagnosed and treated promptly: “ADHD in adults is perhaps the most prevalent frontal lobe disorder in humans, ultimately impacting upon psychosocial management and treatment strategies.”; “Pediatric ADHD is associated with significantly higher rates of all types of pediatric infectious diseases, use of all kinds of anti-infective agents, and primary care physician and specialist visits.”; “Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) seropositivity was associated with learning disability and special education among children. Therefore, if EBV is causally associated with conditions of learning disability and needing special education in childhood, prevention and/or treatment strategies of EBV infection could serve to reduce related conditions in the general US child population.” (full research articles on last page). EBV can be transmitted by a single kiss so it is ubiquitous in humans. Because there is no vaccine, approved anti-viral or obvious signs of early reactivation, EBV lies dormant until it awakens to cause mysterious health problems throughout life. The goals of this paper are: to encourage comprehensive medical studies about the causes and treatments of ADHD in children and adults specifically triggered by EBV and/or other herpes viruses; to include patients in such studies (with symptom charts and historical anecdotes) to ensure that their medical cases are documented with recovery protocols so that other patients do not decline and suffer further; to provide ongoing patient support at work, home or in communities for those coping alone with the illness.