Depressive symptoms are associated with salivary shedding of Epstein-Barr virus in female adolescents: The role of sex differences

Depressive symptoms are associated with EBV reactivation among EBV positive female adolescents, but not males. Future research is needed to examine EBV reactivation in female adolescents as a mechanism linking depression to future chronic disease and the role of sex hormones in explaining sex differences in the relationship between depressive symptoms and EBV reactivation.