In this section we examine the immune system and viral loads. On-going virus problems are often a sign of a compromised immune system (as are out of control yeast and bacterial infections). On the other hand, several viruses can themselves be the causes of a compromised immune system, as they are capable of establishing permanent and lasting low-level infection through undermining host immune defences.

The immune system is a complex and powerful system. It is good to have a basic understanding of how we believe that it works. The following two sites provide a good background - Site 1 and Site 2.

Rebuilding a properly functioning immune system is a long and difficult process, in part because removing certain of the problematic substances and organisms requires an immune system that is functioning at least somewhat optimally. It is for this reason that treating the immune system is an on-going effort, accomplished alongside other interventions. Try to attempt in your research to discern how closely parents followed any particular protocol. If details of the theoretical protocol were changed in practice, this would be an important thing to know.

In addition to more well known DAN! autism treatment approach, several practitioners based in the United States now follow protocols based on the view of autism being a Neuroimmune Dysfunction Syndrome (NIDS), caused by viruses and a dysfunctional immune system. NIDS testsand treatments focus on tackling chronic infections and immune/neurological dysfunction with various immune modulators, such as Immunovir (Isopronosine), and prescription antivirals, such as Valtrex, Famvir, Ganciclovir etc. Dr Micheal Goldberg pioneered this approach and most of NIDS protocols - you can view his groundbreaking presentations on chronic infections as underlying causes of autism and treatments to address them here (a similar presentation is also available here on youtube, in 7 parts).

In the new book 'The Myth ofAutism - How a Misunderstood Epidemic Is Destroying Our Children' Dr. Goldberg and his colleagues illustrate why autism is a symptom of a treatable, neurological disease that attacks the brain's immune system, most likely of infectious origin. The book is now available to order on Amazon, and available to our members to borrow from Treating Autism library. This website, although not directly discussing autism, offers a good general insight into Virus Induced Central Nervous System Dysfunction, including detailed information on available tests.

It is sometimes difficult to differentiate between viral problems and autoimmune problems as the situation seems to be a bit chicken and egg. They seem to be the same thing in some circumstances, whereas in others they are perhaps two different issues: an autoimmune problem that may have been triggered by a virus as opposed to a virus still active to some degree within the body.

It should be noted that viruses (and bacteria) can work synergistically, and a child's problem may be the result of a number of viruses (or viruses and bacteria and/or parasites), some of which may not have been identified yet.

Some parents have been trying low dose Naltrexone as a way of helping the body make this shift from overactive humoral immunity (Th2) and underactive cellular immunity (Th1) back to a more balance immune system. For comprehensive information on LDN visit this website.

Because of the difficulty in understanding the clear differences between viral problems and autoimmune disorders, we have not tried to point to either one or the other in many places in this file. Research seems to show that over 50% of ASD kids have auto-antibodies to myelin basic protein. That is, their own bodies are attacking the myelin sheaths in their brains. This would be considered an autoimmune problem, perhaps precipitated by a virus or viruses.

It has been suggested that the following supplements might help repair/reverse the demyelinization process: Vitamin E (d-alpha), phosphatidylcholine, pantethine or pantothenic acid, curcumin, GLA from borage or evening primrose oil, and high EPA fish oils.

As noted below in a resource, myelinization continues until the age of 45, which should offer us great hope for our children. Dr. McCandless (Children with Starving Brains, 2005, p.163) explains that autoimmune disorders may be the result of infectious diseases such as rubella, herpes simplex encephalitis, varicella, cytomegalovirus, and roseola which is caused by the HHV6--the extremely common human herpes virus. For a clear explanation of this virus which may very well play an important role in autism, click here

The Life Extension Foundation has some good information on herpes viruses in general and what can possibly be done about them. Much of this information would be transferable to the situation of children with ASD, particularly those who suffer recurrent outbreaks of cold sores: Click here.

This site also offers good background information for people new to the investigation of viruses in general. Furthermore, there is a section which discusses some supplements not looked at specifically in this file. Important note of caution: Chemically sensitive people or those taking liver taxing drugs like depakote cannot tolerate BHT.

People like Dr. Yasko and Dr. Wakefield have looked a great deal at the possible involvement of the MMR vaccination in the health problems of ASD children, particularly at measles virus infection some ASD children suffer. Dr. Yasko talks about this in her paper "Autism: A Twisted Tale of Virus and Thimerosal" which you can find, along with a good deal of her other work at http://www.autismanswer.com.

The following link will take you to a paper which discusses finding measles RNA in the spinal fluid of children with regressive autism http://whale.to/a/pdf/bradstreet.pdf.

It is commonly thought among non-traditional medical practitioners that all immunizations impair cellular immunity (Th1 immunity). Some signs that may be indicative of overactive Th2 responses (and underactive Th1 responses) are eczema, asthma, chemical sensitivity, yeast, allergies, and chronic fatigue. Another sign of imbalance can be hyperimmunity (never falling sick) which can often transition to hypoimmunity (always falling sick) over time. Dr. Yazbak has researched the connection between mothers who received vaccinations such as the MMR during pregnancy and breastfeeding and ASDs in their children. For some information on that you can look at http://www.whale.to/v/yazbak2.html.

Lyme disease (which is bacterial) is considered by some to play an important role in their ASD children's health and its symptoms can be similar to viral symptoms and we know of several cases of children who have recovered autism using treatments for lyme.There is a yahoo group that discusses lyme disease and autism, and the Lyme Induced Autism website here.

Some parents might choose to run tests that may indicate viral or bacterial problems. It is, however, of no use to run these tests unless your doctor is clear as to the course of treatment that will be followed if certain results are obtained. Sometimes these tests will show extremely high titers to things such as Epstein-Barr Virus (very rare in a young child), Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Viruses 1 and 2, HHV6 and the measles virus. Sometimes the titers will not be high at all because the child's immune system is unable to mount any sort of defense.

Understand that IgG refers to past infection or vaccination.

IgM refers to current or recent infection or vaccination.
(Individuals with autism sometimes test IgM positive for viruses such as herpesviruses even in the absence of a recent infection. This type of test result is highly unusual and only seen frequently in other neuroimmune disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis).

As Dr. Jim Popplewell from the Autism-Mercury list explains: "in general, IgM antibodies begin to be detectable within 5-7 days of infection and persist for two to three months if the infection then resolves.

IgG antibodies are not usually seen until two weeks or so into the infection, but persist for a long time, even permanently, after the infection resolves. Keep in mind that often the clinical signs of an infection (fever, rash, myalgia, etc) may begin several days after the infection has occurred. If the infection persists, IgM may be produced for a longer period of time.

Using hepatitis B as an example, the presence of both IgG and IgM antibodies for a prolonged period is one indication of so-called chronic active hepatitis. Different infective agents (bacteria, viruses, protozoa) have different patterns of antibody detection, but they largely follow this pattern." You would want to test for both IgG and IgM for each virus.

Consistant low white blood count and high lymphocyte percentage are often associated with viral infections. Cutler notes that, "lymphocytes go up during and for a few weeks after viral infections, while neutrophils go up during and for a few weeks after bacterial or fungal/yeast infections."

** We are thankful to Andrew Hall Cutler, PhD, for having taken the time to share his knowledge by commenting on the first draft of this page and offering many additions.