The Link Between Autoimmune Diseases, Hidden Infections, and Chronic Fatigue

THE LINK BETWEEN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES, HIDDEN INFECTIONS, AND CHRONIC FATIGUE.

Your immune system protects you against foreign invaders, like bacteria and viruses, by releasing antibodies to destroy them. Usually, your immune system can differentiate between foreign cells and your body tissues. It also produces immune responses just long enough to eliminate foreign invaders.

However, the immune system does not always function the way it should. This malfunction can be seen in autoimmune diseases and chronic fatigue.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

In an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy body tissues, which results in various unpleasant symptoms depending on the affected body part. Examples of autoimmune diseases include multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, pernicious anemia, Graves’ disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.

The cause of autoimmune diseases is unclear. But some factors like genetics, diet, chemical exposure, and medications that alter the natural microbiome appear to play a role. Certain hidden infections can also increase your risk of developing some autoimmune diseases. In fact, scientific evidence linked autoimmune diseases with these infections over a century ago.

CHRONIC FATIGUE

This disorder is characterized by extreme fatigue or tiredness that can’t be explained by an underlying medical condition. The fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but it doesn’t go away with rest.

The causes are not fully understood, but some theories have attributed it to hidden infections.

Chronic fatigue produces symptoms similar to many other health conditions. So, it can be challenging to diagnose. The diagnosis often involves ruling out other causes of fatigue.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES AND HIDDEN INFECTIONS

An autoimmune disease essentially means that your immune system has malfunctioned. So, your immune system will start to produce immune responses that cause your body to attack its own tissues.

Some hidden infections can make you more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, especially if you already have other risk factors. Many of these infections can remain active and undetected for years, even decades. Furthermore, they are often ignored or overlooked as the cause of the autoimmune disease. However, science has been able to identify these infections as possible triggers for autoimmune diseases. For instance, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and thyroiditis have been linked to chronic bacterial and viral diseases.

Scientists are not entirely sure of the exact mechanism by which infections trigger or worsen autoimmunity, but the predominant theories are as follows:

• Molecular Mimicry. If the structure of a bacteria or virus is similar enough to your body tissues, your immune system may be unable to differentiate the two and attack your body tissues alongside the infection.
• Bystander Activation. Here, your tissues are invaded by the infectious virus, bacteria, or fungi and suffer collateral damage when your immune system fights off the infection.
• Cryptic Antigens. Some viruses hijack your cells’ DNA in a bid to hide from your immune system. But your immune system eventually detects the virus and attacks it and the cell it’s hiding in.

CHRONIC FATIGUE AND HIDDEN INFECTIONS

Hidden infections can also lead to chronic fatigue. In fact, they are a significant cause of chronic fatigue and brain fog for many people. A study involving patients with no apparent reason for chronic fatigue found pathological stimulation of the immune system. Many of the patients also tested positive for antibodies usually seen in autoimmune diseases.

Unfortunately, these infections are often overlooked, or the wrong tests are ordered, which may come back negative. This can cause your doctor to tell you that you’re okay or simply imagining things.

These infections will usually not kill you, but they can seriously impair your quality of life. They are also wrongly diagnosed as fibromyalgia, depression, or different autoimmune diseases in adults. The following symptoms may indicate that you have a hidden infection:

• Muscle aches and pains
• Leg or foot pain without injury
• Strange rashes or marks on your skin
• Fatigue that isn’t relieved by rest or sleep
• Generally feeling lousy for no apparent reason
• Sore throat or flu-like symptoms that comes and goes
• Headaches and trouble thinking clearly or remembering things
• Joint pain (without swelling) that move around from time to time

Children can also suffer from these hidden infections. But they are sometimes wrongly labeled as behavioral problems or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). So, you should ensure your doctor checks for these infections if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• Low energy
• Unusual sensory issues
• Trouble concentrating in school
• Leg, knee, or foot pain without an injury
• Sudden onset of obsessive/compulsive symptoms

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE EXPERIENCE FATIGUE AND OTHERS DON’T AFTER AN INFECTION.

This appears to be because of genetic differences in the body’s response to infection and inflammation. For people that develop chronic fatigue after a hidden infection, their immune system responds more robustly to the pathogens with massive production of various infection-fighting agents. This can make the severity and immune response to the infection more intense.

The infection also activates a vicious cycle consisting of a surge in infection-fighting agents that keeps on going unrelenting in susceptible individuals, thus contributing to inflammation, depression, and fatigue.

SOME HIDDEN INFECTIONS LINKED TO AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES AND CHRONIC FATIGUE

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)

EBV is commonly associated with infectious mononucleosis (mono for short).  This virus is so common that you’ve probably already contracted this virus without being diagnosed with mono. For instance, 95% of American adults contract EBV by the age of 40. But it is often misdiagnosed as flu or strep throat.

Research has linked this virus to chronic fatigue and several autoimmune diseases, including Lupus, Multiple sclerosis, and Graves’ disease. A meta-analysis of over 20 studies found EBV present in every patient with multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, a higher level of EBV antibodies seems to predict the onset and flare-up of multiple sclerosis symptoms.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) Types I and II

These viruses are responsible for cold sores or genital herpes. Many people contract HSV without actually getting sick. For instance, surveys show that 50-80% of Americans have one or both types, but most will not show symptoms.

HSV can remain dormant in your body for years until toxic chemical exposure or stress sets it off. This can trigger or worsen an autoimmune disease or chronic fatigue.

Lyme disease and tick-borne diseases

These diseases are another major but often overlooked factor in autoimmune diseases. Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is often accompanied by other equally problematic co-infections.

Research has found that joint autoimmune diseases often occur following Lyme disease. To further complicate things, the symptoms can be very vague. So, it is often misdiagnosed or missed in patients with autoimmunity and chronic fatigue, as the symptoms overlap with other health issues. Hence, it is called “the great imitator.”

Common Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections like Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydia pneumonia, Klebsiella, and Provatella have been linked to certain autoimmune conditions. E. coli has also been linked to general autoimmunity.

Other infections.

Hepatitis C virus, Cytomegalovirus, Campylobacter bacteria, Coxsackievirus B4, Mycobacteria, Parvoviruses, Human Herpes Virus (HHV6), Mold, Chronic fungal infections, Mumps, Measles, and Rubella, have also been linked to chronic fatigue and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, myocarditis, type 1 diabetes, and myasthenia gravis.

Note that getting any of these infections does not mean you will develop an autoimmune disorder or chronic fatigue. This is because some genetic predisposition is involved in developing these conditions.

MANAGEMENT OF UNDERLYING INFECTIONS

Your doctor can run tests for the pathogens linked to chronic fatigue or autoimmune diseases and treat them appropriately.

But, you should note that these underlying infections can be difficult to diagnose. For instance, Lyme disease can cause heart failure, but the detection is not as simple as doing a blood test. It requires a heart muscle biopsy. A study found that 20% of people with heart failure had Lyme DNA upon heart muscle biopsy, but two-thirds of these people had a negative blood test for Lyme.

Furthermore, many hidden infections do not respond to conventional treatments. For example, Lyme disease may not respond to the traditional 3-week regimen of doxycycline. So, your doctor may need to approach these infections with unique treatment plans.

SUMMARY

Many people suffer for years and visit multiple doctors without identifying the underlying cause of their autoimmune disease or fatigue. But you do not have to lose all hope when it comes to managing your health. Instead, you should advocate for yourself, so your doctors can do the necessary tests to identify the cause of your health issue. Even if your doctors do not understand your symptoms yet or your symptoms change frequently.