There are many types of viruses and they can cause many different health related neuro-developmental issues. In this podcast we will discuss many of these that relate to common symptoms of autism including speech, autoimmunity, cognition and our ability to think.

Viruses and Autoimmunity 

Many viruses can adversely affect the immune system, either by suppressing its function, or causing it to mistakenly attack the cells and tissues of the host body. This is called autoimmunity. We must not overlook the harmful effects of overstimulating the immune system. The brain’s immune system contains protective cells called microglia. These cells regulate brain development, maintenance of neuronal networks, and injury repair. Viruses can be active in the body for years and be a continuing over activity of the immune system.

When stimulated by a foreign substance the microglia secrete chemicals, including glutamate, preparing for an immune attack. This can get triggered in a sort of “on” position and stay activated spreading these chemicals and leading to an autoimmune issue. Multiple systems and organs of the body can be damaged. For example, the cells of the liver are highly susceptible, as well as the respiratory system. I’d also like to mention that glutamate can trigger seizures, so the viral component needs to be observed as a factor in them.

The immune system plays a vital role in brain development and a weak immune system can impact brain function, especially cognition and our ability to think. Inflammation is a strong factor here. We are always working to reduce inflammation to regain health.

Viruses and Coinfections of Autism

In some of my podcast episodes we’ve discussed many coinfections of autism such as mold biotoxins, also referred to as a chronic inflammatory response that it creates. 

All factors come from inflammation and damage done by the toxins and microbes in the body so all must be worked with. Mold biotoxins, as well as viruses affect endocrine regulation.

Additional coinfections of autism include Lyme disease, Parasites, and PANS or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. Viruses can also cause the immune system to attack the brain. This is what PANS is. We never want to boost the immune system of a child with autism or anyone who has not been properly treated for their infections.

Common symptoms for PANS is an immediate onset of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), clinginess and fearfulness, anxiety, and increased stimming and Tics. A Nationwide Population-Based Study noted the Association of Tic Disorders and Enterovirus Infection.

Lyme Disease should be treated before working with viruses because Lyme immunosuppressant. As we work with these underlying root causes and additional toxins and infections we will naturally be strengthening the immune system so our efforts treating viruses will be much more effective.

There are many types of Lyme and many types of viruses and they can cause different health related neuro-developmental issues. Enteroviruses are a class of viruses comprising over 300 structural similarities. All living organisms reproduce, so we must treat all. It can take years but it’s worth it. 

Viruses and Speech

To give some perspective, meninges are the protective layer that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi, can affect the meninges and the brain and trigger difficulties with language function.

In other words, viruses are a big component of damage to the language and speech branches of the brain and working with them can help with speech. 

One study titled, The Association between enterovirus infection and speech and language impairments: A nationwide population-based study, observed 39,669 cases of individuals under the age of 18 with newly diagnosed enterovirus (EV) infection during the period from January 1998 to December 2011 (13 years).

The eligible cases were assessed during the study period for incident cases of speech and language impairments. Cox regression analyses were applied, adjusting for sex, age and other physical and mental problems.

Results: In the fully adjusted Cox regression model, EV infection was positively associated with speech and language impairments in 95%!

Conclusions: EV infection is temporally associated with speech and language impairments. These findings herein provide rationale for educating families that enterovirus infection may be associated with speech and language problems in susceptible individuals and that monitoring for such a presentation would be warranted. 

Additionally noted in the study was that EV are medically important human pathogens and associated with select neuropsychiatric diseases. Notwithstanding, relatively few reports have mentioned the effects of EV infection on speech and language problems. The study used a nationwide longitudinal dataset and identified that children with EV infection have a greater risk for speech and language impairments as compared with control group. Infected children combined with other comorbidities or risk factors might have greater possibility to develop speech problems. Clinicians should be vigilant for the onset of language developmental abnormalities of preschool children with enterovirus infection.

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Viruses Spread In-Utero

The brain and immune system are not fully developed in fetuses and young infants, so they are at high risk of viral-induced brain damage. 

A different but related Study noted, “Some viruses, such as rubella may have an effect on the fetus, impairing brain functions and causing autism.” [Cordeiro CN, Tsimis M, Burd I. Infections and Brain Development. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2015;70:644–655. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]. 

One more additional study tells us “Rubella is a well-known RNA virus that can cause various congenital malformations when contracted, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Intellectual disabilities, including autism, are common among children with congenital rubella infection. The autism rate is 200 times more in these children than in the general population, reaching a rate of 8%-13% of children with congenital rubella syndrome.”[Hutton J. Does Rubella Cause Autism: A 2015 Reappraisal? Front Hum Neurosci. 2016;10:25. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]. 

Rubella is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive spotty-type red rash and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. It’s also called German measles or three-day measles. This infection may cause mild or no symptoms in most people.

Acute rubella infection induces mild liver dysfunction altering the liver metabolism of vitamin A with the spilling of the stored vitamin A complexes into the circulation, resulting in an endogenous type of hypervitaminosis A, a condition that occurs when a person has too much vitamin A in their body.

In utero this can lead to causing mitochondrial damage, DNA alteration, and cell destruction leading to abnormal growth and development; inducing autism development. [Mawson AR, Croft AM. Rubella Virus Infection, the Congenital Rubella Syndrome, and the Link to Autism. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] [Ref list]

Children with autism should be screened for possible signs of congenital rubella infection. [Hwang SJ, Chen YS. Congenital rubella syndrome with autistic disorder. J Chin Med Assoc. 2010;73:104–107. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Epstein Barr Virus, (also referred to as Mononucleosis)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can also cause this disease. 

It is linked to autoimmune issues (of which PANS is one), and common triggers include stress, a weak immune system, and hormonal changes such as puberty, menopause. Mold biotoxins create problems with the hormonal systems of the body. 

What are the symptoms of Epstein-Barr?

• extreme fatigue.
• fever.
• sore throat.
• head and body aches.
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits.
• swollen liver or spleen or both.
• Rash.

Retroviruses

A retrovirus is a virus that uses RNA as its genome material to adhere to. The cell converts this RNA to DNA, and inserts it into the host cell. The cell then produces more of this retrovirus and continues to infect other cells.

Retroviruses contribute to many diseases including immunodeficiencies, cancers, neurologic disorders, bone and joint issues, and anemia.

Retroviruses can be lifelong if not treated properly and they are very hard to treat. 

Once integrated, the virus can use the host cell’s components to make additional viral particles (ie, they replicate). 

In humans, a retrovirus known as human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can cause cancers.

A common example of a retrovirus is the retrovirus known as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in humans.

Transmission occurs through sexual contact, exposure to contaminated blood or blood products, and perinatally.

Additional symptoms and triggers to look for:

Thyroid issues, including Hashimoto’s, are linked to Lyme disease which is linked to viruses, especially Epstein Barr Virus.

• Weight gain
• Weight loss
• Hair loss, including loss of eyebrow hair
• Too much or too little energy

What To Do

There is no one definite cause of autism. Several factors play together to increase the risk of development of autism, including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that may work in combination to affect the brain during the crucial phases of early development. Listen to my interview with Dr. Bruce Lipton on Epigenetics here.

Good nutrition is essential in preventing viral infections. Sugars exacerbate viruses and act as a trigger. Get my free food guide here.

Viruses damage the language branches in the brain contributing to speech issues. First we must treat the toxic load and coinfections including Lyme, then we treat the viruses. We work with all of this safely, naturally, and effectively in my membership program. See below for information on my upcoming free live event on this.

Vitamin D3 is an important supplement in fighting viruses.

Far-Infrared saunas are great for assisting detoxification and viruses hate heat!

Everything must be done at the right dosage and for a long enough amount of time. Depending on the level of infection in an individual, treatment may need to be repeated. These infections contribute to autoimmune issues too. We want health long term. This treatment done right gives longevity.

Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Viruses are an intricate web and there are many different ones. As mentioned prior, Enteroviruses are one class of viruses comprising over 300 serotypes. All living organisms reproduce, so we must treat all. It takes time, but it’s worth it. 

Please come to my upcoming FREE live virtual event where I will go over my success driven 4-Stage framework for optimum results in autism recovery, and how I can help you through this process from A-Z, with a step-by-step roadmap and the support you deserve.

The first crucial step of autism recovery is to begin restoring health to the gut and the immune system.

The health of the gut is directly linked to the health of the brain and therefore to the symptoms of autism. In fact, 80% of the immune system comes from the gut so if the gut is not healthy, then the brain can’t thrive, and the immune system is compromised. It’s a vicious cycle, but thankfully, it’s one that we can put an end to by first eliminating harmful foods.

This is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat. Every child’s level of recovery is different. No two people are the same. It is never implied that all children will have the same outcome. Results are all based on individual biology and the work that is done. This process takes time and various steps, effort and resources need to be weighed. Our programs are intended to help you become more knowledgeable and guide you to help bring your child a better quality of life, whatever that may be. We want to help by giving great content, direction and strategies that move you forward. Nothing on this page or any of our websites is a promise or guarantee of results or future outcomes. The results on this page and any of our websites are not typical or promised. In fact, there will be people who purchase this and other programs and never put the work into implementing the strategies taught and therefore will achieve little to no results. Our more detailed earnings disclaimer, privacy policy, and terms and conditions for this program and website can be accessed via the links below. We hold ourselves (and you) to a high standard of integrity. We are cheering you on every step of the way.