You may not have heard about the Marburg virus yet, but it’s just a matter of time. Following a significant outbreak in 1967, the disease was first identified as a rare yet virulent hemorrhagic fever derived mainly from cave-dwelling bats but can be spread from human to human through close contact or via blood and body fluids.
In February of 2023, the WHO identified an outbreak of Marburg in Equatorial Guinea. While the disease has been relatively contained to this point, given what the world experienced with coronavirus, people are understandably on edge and watching the trajectory of the virus closely.
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Symptoms to watch out for
The symptoms of Marburg mirror those of other better-known viruses, such as high fever, severe headaches, and extreme fatigue. Some of the infected also experience abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting, and bleeding, making the virus’ symptoms similar to Ebola — and potentially just as deadly.
Currently, there is no vaccine or reliable treatment for Marburg, though these are being explored and worked on by scientists. While the chances of Marburg spreading through the US as the coronavirus did in 2020 are low, doctors on this side of the pond have been warned by the WHO to keep an eye out for imported cases.
Handling symptoms holistically
If Marburg does happen to hit, people may wonder how to handle the litany of symptoms in the most holistic way possible. Because a vaccine has yet to be unveiled, supportive care for symptomatic Marburg cases is the best course of action that doctors and patients currently have.
Inesa Ponomariovaite, a holistic practitioner and owner of Nesas Hemp, believes strongly in the power of holistic treatments like CBD vs. CBDa — even against viruses as strong as Marburg — due to her specialty in organic CBDa oil. “CBDa, or cannabidiolic acid, demonstrates a unique interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which may be useful for people suffering from the Marburg Virus,” Ponomariovaite explains. “CBDa has been reported to possess antiviral activity against all types of viruses.”
Holistically addressing symptoms of something as strong as the Marburg virus requires more than just one step, however. Ponomariovaite is quick to point out that holistic lifestyle changes can help one weather a bad virus outbreak.
“It’s important to stay hydrated,” Ponomariovaite says. “The Marburg virus leads to the loss of electrolytes, causes weight loss, and dehydration, but this can be avoided by staying hydrated and drinking lots of water.”
Nutrition is also key to warding off the worst part of Marburg virus symptoms. “A balanced diet will provide your body with the necessary nutrients to activate your immune system to fight against the infection,” Ponomariovaite adds. “Consuming foods rich in vitamins and minerals promotes immune responses and reduces the chances of secondary infections.”
A healthy diet and a focus on hydration, combined with rest and holistic remedies like CBDa, can give one’s immune system a fighting chance of warding off the worst of what a virus like Marburg has to offer.
The lasting benefits of CBD and CBDa
Jorge Olson, co-founder of Hempacco, remembers the first time he realized that CBD was the holistic remedy wave of the future. “I remember watching Sanjay Gupta’s first cannabis documentary a decade ago,” he says. “He was skeptical, I was skeptical, and the world was too. But in the middle of the documentary, when I saw a child go from several seizures per minute to hardly any in a day, I was sold. I remember thinking, ‘This is a good plant.’”
The myriad benefits of CBD and CBDa target the various symptoms of a virus like Marburg, from extreme pain to fatigue. Combined with hydration, rest, and a healthy diet, CBD and CBDa can create a robust defense system for your body. “We now have dozens of articles and television documentaries talking about the benefits of cannabis and many other hemp cannabinoids,” explains Olson.
When something as frightening as the Marburg virus emerges in the news, people are right to be on alert — especially following our experience with coronavirus. While those of us in the United States must avoid panic and catastrophizing the situation, we can educate ourselves on the best course of action should the virus take hold here in the States.
The antiviral activities of both CBD and CBDa have been better studied in recent years, and scientists are beginning to document their positive findings. The science behind CBDa is something that Ponomariovaite is especially excited about.
“CBDa primarily interacts with the CB2 receptors, which are responsible for modulating immune responses,” Ponomariovaite explains. “With this in mind, it’s clear that CBDa can boost the activities of the immune system to fight against viral infections. Researchers have also reported that CBDa can reduce the severity of migraines, headaches, fever, and chronic inflammation.”
While we may not have to worry about Marburg hitting COVID-19 levels just yet, it helps to be adequately prepared in case the virus does infiltrate the United States. By remaining aware and educated about holistic symptom management, people can approach possible viral outbreaks with more confidence and overall wellness.
