A revolutionary study has identified a widespread virus, affecting over 90% of people globally, as a potential trigger for a severe autoimmune disorder faced by celebrities like Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a virus most individuals encounter at some stage in life, is primarily recognized for causing mononucleosis, often dubbed the ‘kissing disease’ due to its transmission through saliva.

Scientists have long considered that EBV might contribute to autoimmune conditions. Researchers at Stanford University recently explored its connection to lupus, a focus of ongoing medical inquiry.

Lupus affects over 1.5 million individuals in the United States, including Gomez and Gaga. This disorder prompts the immune system to mistakenly attack the body’s own healthy tissue, resulting in inflammation, pain, and potential damage to organs like the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

The origins of lupus remain elusive, with no definitive cause identified, and its symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. Currently, there is no cure or specific treatment available for this condition.

In their investigation, Stanford University researchers examined the role of EBV as a potential catalyst. The virus can alter the activity of B cells, a type of immune cell that typically aids in combating infections.

Using advanced genetic analysis, they found that when EBV infects these cells, it alters how they function, essentially ‘reprogramming’ them.

The infected cells began to act in ways that could confuse the immune system, making it attack the body’s own healthy tissues instead of harmful invaders. 

A groundbreaking study has found that a common virus that effects more than 90 percent of the population could trigger a devastating autoimmune condition suffered by Selena Gomez (pictured)

The scientists traced this effect to a specific viral protein, known as EBNA2, which seems to play a key role in setting off this harmful immune reaction.

Their experiments showed that these altered B cells could trigger other immune cells, creating a chain reaction that may contribute to the development of lupus.

While more research is needed, the findings, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggest that EBV infection could be one of the sparks that set off lupus in people who are already genetically vulnerable, offering new clues for how to prevent or treat the disease in the future.

Dr Anca Askanase, clinical director of the Lupus Center at Columbia University, who wasn’t involved in the new research, told NBC News he believes the findings put further pressure on scientists to develop a vaccine to target EBV.  

‘If we now better understand how this fastidious virus is responsible for autoimmune diseases, I think it’s time to figure out how to prevent it,’ he said.  

Patients typically begin experiencing symptoms of lupus in their teens or early 20s, though the condition can also develop in childhood or later adulthood.

Symptoms often change and progress over time. 

Many patients first experience fatigue, joint pain, and skin rashes, while others may later develop inflammation of internal organs, such as the kidneys, heart, or lungs.

In severe cases, lupus can cause life-threatening complications. 

Research suggests that about one in seven patients may die from lupus-related causes within 15 years of diagnosis, though survival rates have improved significantly with earlier detection and better treatments.

Gomez was diagnosed with lupus in 2013 and has been open about her struggles with the condition.

Patients typically begin experiencing symptoms of lupus in their teens or early 20s, though the condition can also develop in childhood or later adulthood

She has shared that she experiences symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and rashes. She has also undergone a kidney transplant as a result of lupus complications.

While Gaga does not have lupus, she tested ‘borderline positive’ for it in 2010 after experiencing symptoms like heart palpitations and breathing issues.

She said she has a family history of it, as her aunt died from lupus, and she takes precautions to maintain her health.

Meanwhile, more than nine in 10 adults have had EBV at some point in their lives, a common infection spread through bodily fluids like saliva or semen.

It causes symptoms like fatigue, fever, and rashes, and once symptoms disappear, the virus remains dormant in the body, where it can be reactivated when the immune system is low.

Once you encounter the virus, it remains in your body. The virus can be reactivated if you have a weak immune system. 

Along with autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis, EBV has been associated with various cancers, including Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

In 2001, researchers at the University of Michigan identified a possible molecular connection between aggressive breast cancer and EBV, further highlighting the virus’s complex role in human health.

Lady Gaga’s aunt died from lupus and she says the condition runs in her 

Scientists remain uncertain why EBV causes only mild illness in some people while contributing to malignancies in others. 

Genetic factors are thought to influence how the virus interacts with the immune system and whether it becomes reactivated later in life.

Experts say that maintaining a strong immune system may help shorten the duration of EBV-related illnesses. 

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, and low in red meat and dairy is recommended. 

Getting adequate sleep, avoiding smoking, and using immune-supporting herbs such as Siberian ginseng and aloe vera may also promote recovery and overall wellness.