Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also called Human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4)?

Is this an STD? why is it the same as herpes?

The virus that causes Herpes (the STD) is Herpes Simplex Virus type II. The virus that causes the common cold sore that almost all of us have experienced on our lips or inside of our cheeks, is Herpes Simplex Virus type I. The Epstein Barr Virus belongs to the same GROUP of viruses as these two, but it causes something totally different in adults: mononucleosis (the so-called "Kissing disease" - also known as "mono"). It is usually transmitted by intimate contact with an infected individual - kissing another person who is infected is the most common route of transmission of EBV.

See, microbiology subdivides viruses based on their microscopic properties - things like whether they contain DNA information or RNA information, whether they have a capsule around the virus envelope or whether they do not. EBV, HSV-1, and HSV-2 are all members of the herpesvirus family because they have similar characteristics. The INFECTIONS they cause are VERY, VERY different, though. It would be like if we only described automobiles based on their color. A yellow sports car is obviously very different from a yellow school bus or a yellow taxi, but if we only talked about cars based on that one characteristic, we'd call them all "yellow cars." Each one is different, though. The same is true of the way viruses are named and categorized. It can be confusing at times, but there is some method to this madness.

Since sexual contact is not required for an individual to contract EBV, it is NOT an STD... though it CAN be trasmitted through sexual acts. This sounds confusing, but let me explain. An STD is simply a disease that is transmitted through sexual contact. Many, many average everyday infections can be transmitted through sexual contact... EBV included. That doesn't make it, categorically, an exclusive STD. Like I said - most infections come from kissing or other intimate contact, not necessarily sex.

Another interesting statistic - by age 40, over 95% of all people in the USA test positive for antibodies to EBV. That means that by age 40, 95% of us have had the virus! It's not a very dangerous infection... and is more of a nuisance than anything else. See the second link for info on this particular point. The first link contains very general information.