Improve the immune system: There are supplements (see below) that can help improve the immune system. A healthy diet will make this more likely. There are also lifestyle changes that might help, such as getting lots of sleep, exercise, reducing stress, reducing toxins. On the other hand most of agents that are implicated in autism, such as chronic (retro)viruses - herpes viruses in particular - and environmental toxins, will have a negative impact on the immune system. Getting these issues, if present, under control will be the requirement to long-term balancing of the immune system.

Prescription antivirals: Acyclovir® and Valtrex®, a form of acyclovir, are two commonly used prescription antivirals. In addition to those two Famvir is another antiviral often used. In his book 'The Myth of Autism - How a Misunderstood Epidemic Is Destroying Our Children' Dr Micheal Goldberg outlines a detailed NIDS approach to treating autism that includes sucessful use of prescription antivirals. (the book is available to our members via Treating Autism library and highly recommended if you are considering biomedical intervention to treat underlying viral, inflammatory and/or immune problems causing autism).

Healing the gut: Using chelation, dietary interventions, antifungals (some prescription antifungals are not appropriate for long-term use), antibacterials (only as necessary, of course), probiotics, and other supplements as appropriate can help heal the gut which in turn will help improve the immune system. The bulk of our immune system is located in the gut.

Natural antivirals: Antivirals are listed below. A viral "die-off" (viruses are not alive and therefore aren't really dying) can involve a great deal of emotion, weepiness, rashes, drunken laughter, itchiness, generally feeling unwell (flu-like symptoms) and more.

Chelation: Many chelation agents have direct antiviral properties! In addition to their direct antiviral effects, most agents used in chelation protocols also work on viruses in indirect ways, by raising cellular glutathione levels. Glutathione is the body's most important cellular defence mechanism and is crucial in overcoming chronic infections and the damage that they create.

Please note that the high dose Vitamin A protocol will NOT and should NOT produce these same signs. Vitamin A protocol is NOT supposed to induce toxicity. Read about Vitamin A protocols for measles virus below.

If your child is non-verbal, take extra caution to not increase dosage too quickly. Please be aware that many people have also found that yeast overgrowth can be a huge problem during viral protocols and you should be prepared for that possibility.

Click here to see post #91706 from Karen deFelice for an interesting theory about yeast and antiviral protocols.

Enzymes: Karen DeFelice's work with Virastop, a protease enzyme, may have positive implications for ASD children battling viral issues. Viruses are protected by a protein cover which certain enzymes, particularly Virastop it would seem, can digest. Please see below for the link to Karen's work and informative page. There have been a number of parents who have chosen to use Virastop and other natural antivirals in a low and slow approach, as opposed to the more aggressive and shorter term stairstep approach Karen outlines which promotes symptoms such as rashes. Although few in number, some parents have reported positive outcomes with this approach. This approach is sustainable, less uncomfortable, and will work simultaneously with other interventions such as chelation. With this approach, there is less chance a child will have to miss other activities such as school or therapy.
A parent would have to decide which option for using natural antivirals would work best for their child. There is much less documented data on the low, slow approach and parents considering it might find it valuable to post questions at either of these groups.

It is very important to note that just because something is "natural" that does not mean it is perfectly safe or even an appropriate option for all people. "Natural" products can be very powerful and should, as all treatments, be used carefully and after careful research and consideration, including consulting with a knowledgeable practitioner.

Some people have also used IVIG treatment successfully, but the necessity of this is rare.

Many children experience considerable benefits from intravenous glutathione administration (sometimes combined with intravenous vitamin C).

Get the methylation system working: It seems fairly clear that if a child's methylation system is not functioning properly, viruses cannot be controlled. Methylation is necessary for turning off viral DNA and is highly implicated in properly functioning T cells (crucial to the immune system).

For more information on how one might try to address methylation problems, you may want to try these resources:
http://www.drneubrander.com/page2.html (here you will find some scientific data on impaired methylation in autistic children and information on using methylcobalamin injections to address these impairments);

http://www.enzymestuff.com/methylation.htm (here Karen deFelice gives some easy to comprehend information on methylation in general and methylation supplements);

Dr. Yasko's work focuses on methylation and how to fix impairments. See also Methylation in the Useful Documents section.

Some parents have reported very good success using homeopathy to address perceived viral problems. There are many resources on the internet regarding homeopathy and autism -- as with any treatment, Treating Autism encourages you to speak to a variety of parents and practitioners to inform yourself of the suitability of this option for your child.