Viruses and Children with Autism – The Autism Exchange

Introduction

The impact of viruses on autism has been an ongoing discussion for many years. There has been much talk about in utero exposure and early on exposure to viruses that may increase the risk of autism. Researchers have found that children with autism have a decreased number of T-cells which means their immune system is impaired and unable to fight infection. It is also possible that early exposure to viruses may cause the immune system to create a production of antibodies against the child's own brain which would result in neurological deficits as seen in ASD. Viruses can cause harm to the nerve tissue, thus negatively affecting the nervous system. Viruses can also stimulate an immune response by creating antibodies in order to eliminate the viruses. Sometimes environmental toxins can activate these antibodies. If the immune response is too weak then the viruses may affect the body tissue which causes inflammation. Inflammation is the body's way of fighting an attack, so long term and widespread inflammation (especially in the brain), as seen in children with autism, results in chronically sick children with neurological and behavioral changes. The following viruses may play a role in autism: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1& 2; Human Herpes Virus #6 (HHV 6); Epstein - Barr Virus (EBV); Measles, Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), and Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Talk to your child's doctor about testing for these viruses and also see the PANDAS/PANS section for related information.

Related Sites

Martha Herbert, MD
Description: Dr. Herbert is a Harvard trained neurologist and a brain development researcher. For nearly two decades her main clinical, research and advocacy focus was on autism. She recognizes that many children with autism are chronically ill.

Autistic Disorder and Viral Infections
Description: From the Journal of Neurovirology.

Books

Myth of Autism: How a Misunderstood Epidemic Is Destroying Our Children – Expanded and Revised Edition by Michael Goldberg M.D.
Description: Myth of Autism was one of the first books to address the underlying viral infection attacking the brain and the immune system in children with autism. Dr Goldberg maintains that autism is biomedical in nature and a dysfunction in the neuro-immune system and neurotropic viruses that impact the brain’s immune system. He calls it NIDS – Neuro-Immune Dysfunction Syndromes.

Plague: One Scientist’s Intrepid Search for the Truth about Human Retroviruses and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Autism and Other Diseases by Kent Heckenlively and Judy Mikovits
Description: This book is a daunting account of the author’s personal scientific battle. Dr. Judy Mikovits discusses human retroviruses and how these viruses are linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, autism, prostate cancer, lymphoma and other neurodevelopment disorders in children. Dr. Mikovits faces severe scientific criticism and prejudice as she defends the underlying viral factor in CFS and autism.

Tools

My Med Lab
Description: Autism Virus Panel.

Viral Infections, Brain Inflammation and Autism by Kurt Woeller DO
Description: Chronic viral infections and immune dysfunction is a serious problem in autism. Research is showing that immune imbalances often brought on or in association with chronic viral infections leads to brain inflammation, microglia activation and neurologic dysfunction. This two part presentation will explore this important topic in-depth and give the audience a deeper understanding regarding autism, brain inflammation and treatment, along with important testing options that can help define this problem more clearly.

Parent Forums/Blogs

Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.

Forum/Blog Name: Viral Exposure and Autism
Description: Questioning Answers - Viral exposure and autism.

Forum/Blog Name: Lyme Induced Autism Family Support Group
Description: Sharing info on Autism that is associated with bacteria (Lyme disease and its co-infections).

Consumer Corner

The AEX Directory
Description: We do not provide medical advice on this site. Please consult your practitioner to discuss treatments for medical conditions. We do have a Directory feature that includes Practitioner Lists as well as Supplement Suppliers, Lab Test Companies, Compounding Pharmacies, and Prescription Drug Lookup. This feature can be accessed by clicking the link above or clicking The AEX Directory icon from our home page or any of the Navigation bar pages.

Community Library

Autistic Disorder and Viral Infections (Journal of Neuro Virology)
Description: A comprehensive research article on viruses and their connection to autism.

Association of Autism with Polyomavirus Infection in Post Mortem Brains by the Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Neurogenetics University Campus Biomedico Rome, Italy
Description: According to Dr. Jeff Bradstreet suspect viruses may be behind chronic inflammation in the brain seen in children with autism.

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