Tag: Autoimmune Diseases

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What Is Chronic Immune Suppression?

Angelica Bottaro

The immune system is a vital piece of the health puzzle. It acts as a defender against all types of infections and illnesses while also encouraging overall health throughout the body by warding off disease and chronic ailments such as cancer. The system is a collection of glands, organs, and tissues working together toward optimal health.

The immune system is always “on”, continuously working to keep you healthy and safe. However, the immune system can become faulty or stop working as it should. When this happens, it is often referred to as immune suppression – the action of the system is hindered or suppressed. Since the immune system does so much for the health of the body, when it isn’t able to work as hard as it should, it can lead to other health problems.

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What Autoimmune Diseases Are Associated With Lyme?

Angelica Bottaro

Lyme disease can develop in people who are bitten by a tick infected with the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria. It takes roughly 24–36 hours for the tick to pass on the infectious bacteria to humans through feeding. Once that happens, the bacterium goes through the body, potentially affecting multiple aspects of overall health (including triggering several autoimmune diseases associated with Lyme).

There are over 40 symptoms associated with Lyme disease, all of which can present in a severe and debilitating manner. Diagnosing and treating Lyme disease comes with its own challenges because it can present similarly to other diseases. In some cases, post-treatment symptoms can still occur. The bacteria can evade the immune system well, leading to long-term infectious and adverse health effects.

While Lyme disease can cause severe health issues and permanent damage to tissues, organs, and joints, new research is shedding light on what other detrimental effects a Lyme infection can have. Researchers have found a connection with one specific type of disease, known as autoimmune disease. But what autoimmune diseases are associated with Lyme, and why does the bacterial infection drive the onset of these diseases in otherwise healthy individuals? Let’s investigate.

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Does Having Epstein-Barr Make You Immunocompromised?

Angelica Bottaro

The immune system is designed to protect you from illness and disease. When it works as it should, the body is kept healthy and relatively safe from various pathogens. However, some things can cause the immune system to malfunction. From not eating the right foods to leading a sedentary lifestyle and missing out on precious sleep, there is no shortage of lifestyle factors associated with weakened immunity. Environmental risks can also cause the immune system to run poorly, including viruses like Epstein-Barr. But does having Epstein-Barr make you immunocompromised?  

Research has long examined what being immunocompromised means, how it affects health, and what causes it. To date, there are some answers to all these questions – but some things are still a mystery. Recent data surrounding the Epstein-Barr virus has painted a picture of its connection to autoimmune disease and immunocompromised individuals. But does it cause a person’s immune system to falter, or is there more to the story than that?

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Can EBV Turn Into Lupus?

Angelica Bottaro

Viral infections are common. But did you know we can contract various types of viruses without even knowing? While there are possible symptoms associated with most virus-driven illnesses, the immune system can sometimes fight so well that people don’t feel any changes in their bodies. Because of that, when these kinds of viruses spread, they can do so quickly and easily. Once a person contracts certain types of these viral infections, the virus can also lay dormant in the body for the rest of their lives. In these cases, the spread may be lower, but not nonexistent.

One virus that has afflicted most of the world’s population due to its low symptoms, high spread rate, and ability to lay dormant is the Epstein-Barr virus. But what is Epstein-Barr, exactly? And does it have a link to other diseases – can EBV turn into lupus, for example? Read on to learn more.

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Is Epstein-Barr Virus Linked to Autoimmune Disease?

Angelica Bottaro

The Epstein-Barr virus is the most common viral infection in the world, and it’s thought that roughly 90% of the population has been infected with it at some point in their lives. It belongs to the herpes family of viruses and is otherwise known as human herpesvirus 4. Its commonality stems from its ability to spread easily through saliva and other bodily fluids, and the lack of specific symptoms it causes.

Considering how common it is, people may wonder why they’ve never heard of EBV. Many have likely either experienced or known someone who experienced a specific infection caused by the virus known as mononucleosis (mono), or “the kissing disease.” Typically, people with EBV contract it during childhood and are asymptomatic, meaning they experience no symptoms at all. However, even when signs of infection arise, they include ailments such as fatigue, fever, throat inflammation, and swollen lymph nodes. Of course, all of these afflictions can develop because of various health issues, not just Epstein-Barr.

New research is shining a light on this common virus and its connection to other health issues. Various findings have suggested that, even though EBV can lay dormant within the body, it can still set off a host of problems that people will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. Specifically, it has been recently linked to incurable autoimmune diseases. So how is Epstein-Barr virus linked to autoimmune disease, exactly? Read on to learn more.

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