Introduction
Conditions like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, weight gain, thyroid and neurological disorders, and more underlying situations are connected with various microbes. Research suggests that these are caused by stealth infections.
What Are Stealth Infections?
Infections that are capable of residing in the cell and can hide from the immune systems are stealth infections. Infections include Epstein Barr Virus, Streptococcus, and Borrelia Burgdorferi. The conditions caused by them are glandular fever, Lyme disease, or PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus). Immune problems are evident in stealth infections.
What Are the Symptoms of Stealth Infections?
Stealth infections cause chronic diseases and show symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, sleep disturbances, pain in muscles, anxious behavior, unexplained weight gain, and cognitive impairment. Unexplained fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain and tenderness) and chronic fatigue syndrome can also be represented by stealth Infections.
What Are the Types of Stealth Infections?
There are three major types of stealth infections:
1. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated With Streptococcus): It is generally found in children. A rare autoimmune disease associated with Group A Beta-Haemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS). GABHS is associated with a sore throat. It describes a condition affecting children with streptococcal infections like scarlet fever (also known as scarlatina) and strep throat. PANDAS is an autoimmune disease.
Mechanism of action is as follows - When any of the infections cause the immune system to attack the healthy cells of the body, in this particular case, the cells in the healthy brain. The streptococcal bacteria disguise themselves to look like normal cells. When the immune system ultimately finds and fights them, in some instances, the immune system also fights the cells imitated by the strep (t a healthy brain). PANDAS causes inflammation in the basal ganglia of the brain, which controls motor and emotional control. Antibodies usually attack the healthy tissue in the basal ganglia of the brain
Symptoms of PANDAS are
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Anxiety and depression.
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The child may wet the bed frequently (even in the daytime).
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The child may have difficulty sleeping.
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Represent mood change, increased anger, and becoming more irritability.
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Lose interest in food.
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Baby talk or uttering any word on repeat mode.
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Separation anxiety (child throws tantrums or becomes restless when separated from primary caregiver).
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Neurological behavior symptoms like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
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Threatening behavior is similar to attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder.
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Development of tics (a compulsive, repetitive sound or movement often difficult to control) similar to Tourette syndrome (a disorder of the nervous system having repetitive movements).
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Joint pains.
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Other neurological signs that may be observed include an individual's inability to concentrate for extended periods, a sluggishness in learning new concepts or skills, noticeable changes in motor skills, such as alterations in handwriting, diminished academic performance, heightened sensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli like light and sound, as well as difficulties with coordination. These signs can be indicative of underlying neurological conditions and warrant further assessment and support to address the affected individual's specific needs.
2. Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is caused by ticks by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It hides in muscles and tendons and spreads very quickly. A localized rash can be seen at the bite site known as bull's eye rash. Other symptoms are:
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Rashes wherever the bacteria bites.
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Pain in muscles.
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Fatigue.
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Painful joints.
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Memory loss.
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Cognitive impairment.
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Anxious behavior.
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Sharp pain.
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Numbness in extremities.
If left untreated, Lyme disease will spread quickly and enter the brain tissue. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are necessary.
3. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): EBV belongs to the family of Herpes virus. Transmitted through saliva and genital fluids. Associated with autoimmune diseases like Burkitt's Lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Symptoms Of Epstein Barr Virus:
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Swelling of glands.
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A sore throat.
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Fever.
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Spleen enlargement.
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Upper abdominal pain.
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Fatigue for several weeks or much longer.
How to Diagnose?
The diagnosis of the diseases is as follows:
1. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated With Streptococcus):
Children will suffer from a repeated strep infection. Recovery of the child's brain tissue after an attack of strep is not possible which will lead to chronic psychiatric disorder. Diagnosis for PANDAS is very crucial otherwise doctors will end up treating ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or OCD (obsessive–compulsive disorder). It is also important to rule out other things that can cause similar neurological symptoms like bacterial or viral infections, dietary deficiency, and lifestyle choices.
2. Lyme Disease:
Patient medical history, blood tests, and analyzing patients' signs and symptoms. Symptoms resolve by four to eight weeks, but the virus never leaves the body; it lies in the dormant phase and shows up again once the person is immunocompromised. Chronic fatigue syndrome is linked to EBV and it should be addressed accordingly.
3. EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus):
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Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) Test: The Epstein–Barr virus viral-capsid antigen (EBV-VCA) is the viral protein that forms the viral capsid of the Epstein–Barr virus. The test is positive if the person is suffering from EBV.
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Anti-VCA IgM ( Immunoglobulin M): It appears in early infection and disappears byfour to six weeks.
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Anti-VCA IgG (Immunoglobulin G): It appears in the acute phase of EBV.
How to Treat Stealth Infections?
Proper nutritional treatment is the priority before starting treatment for a person with stealth infections. The body's resources are depleted in fighting off an infection. Hence, nutritional supplements should be provided to support the body. When the infection causing the disease is identified, further supplemented with antibiotics, lifestyle changes, and nutritional supplements should be given. Stealth infections spread rapidly. It will begin primarily as fatigue followed by joint pains, insomnia, and anxiety, hence, a multifactorial approach is mandatory. The treatment plan should be tailored according to the symptoms presented. Antibiotics and Penicillin will treat the bacteria but not other symptoms so further nutritional approaches are mandatory to replenish the devoid nutrients.
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Improving the immune system through nutrients like zinc, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C.
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Eliminating the pathogens and reducing the microbial load by antibiotics or other medicines.
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Trying to reduce systemic inflammation by taking appropriate medicines.
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Supporting the energy production in the body by increasing the energy of foods.
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Breaking down the biofilms enables the immune system to attack stealth pathogens.
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Lowering the sugar intake as Strep bacteria tend to overgrow in the environment having more sugar.
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Eliminating the triggering factors is necessary for PANDAS infection.
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Taking care of the diet plan and avoiding artificial sweeteners as they may trigger neurological symptoms, especially in PANDAS.
What Are the Complications Associated?
The infections can often go undetected with good diagnostic aid. Once entered the body. the bacteria or viruses can form colonies and hide in the biofilm; thus, it may avoid them from being detected by the immune system.
Conclusion
Stealth infections are caused by bacteria or viruses that are found in the cells and can hide in the immune system. Types include glandular fever, lymes disease, and PANDAS. Stealth infections show mixed symptoms of muscle and joint pain, fatigue, neurological symptoms, insomnia, and anxiety. Early treatment and accurate diagnosis are mandatory for a good life outcome. Stealth infections are managed with medicines, nutritional support, a diet plan along with lifestyle changes.
