I often get asked if I can help someone “get rid of” a pathogenic infection. The answer is complicated. I can help them to feel better by managing symptoms and also support their immune system to do its best work. However, it is important to understand that many pathogens don’t go away entirely. We can’t create a sterile environment—that wouldn’t even be the healthiest approach if it were possible. More on that later. The goal is to strengthen the immune system and improve the body’s ability to protect itself and stay stronger than the microbes. Pathogens fall into two categories: latent and stealth.
What are latent pathogens?
A latent pathogen is a bacteria, virus, or parasite that either remains and goes dormant after an active infection or that enters the body and remains dormant, never causing any symptoms. The pathogens shut down their reproduction and hide from the host’s immune system by silencing their genes. The immune system forgets that the pathogens even exist. The pathogens stay dormant until there is an opportune moment to reactivate.
Examples of latent pathogens:
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) - Initial infection causes chickenpox and then can cause shingles when reactivated
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) - causes cold sores or genital herpes
Mycobacterium tuberculosis - causes tuberculosis
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) - causes mononucleosis and is linked to many more serious diseases
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) - a common, life-long herpes virus
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Toxoplasma gondii - single-cell parasite that causes toxoplasmosis
What are stealth pathogens?
Unlike latent pathogens, stealth pathogens are not dormant. They tend to cloak themselves in biofilms, a sticky slime that protects them from the host’s antibodies, and run the show from their hiding place. They are like a computer virus that is running in the background, disrupting the system and draining its resources. This can lead to chronic inflammation, malaise, and difficult-to-identify conditions.
Examples of stealth pathogens:
Borrelia - Lyme disease
Bartonella - Lyme co-infection
Babesia - Lyme co-infection
Candida - chronic fungal infection
Mycoplasma - a common cause of walking pneumonia
Sometimes EBV, HIV and VZV are also classified as stealth pathogens
How are latent and stealth pathogens triggered?
Latent and stealth pathogens wait for their host to weaken, then mount their attack. Common triggers include: weakened immune system, illness, chronic stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and hormonal changes. As evidenced by this article, COVID’s ability to trigger latent pathogens seems to be connected with severe disease and the presentation of long COVID.
Like it or not, it is important to understand that pathogens are part of our lives. If our immune system worked harder to create a sterile environment, it would likely develop an autoimmune disease and destroy its own tissues. I came across an interesting article that describes a study that looks into the paradoxical connection between a chronic parasitic infection and long-term immunity to the parasite. The infection reminds the immune system what the parasite looks like, and keeps the immune system alert and fighting against it.
What can you do to keep the pathogens dormant?
Maintain a good self-care routine: eat well, sleep enough, and manage stress. Regular acupuncture, bodywork, energy work and/or chiropractic care support good immune function. And, Nutrition Response Testing/Biofield Testing is a great way to find out if any of your organs or cells are stressed and which supplements, herbs, or homeopathic remedies will help to restore your health and vitality.
Marie's Body of Knowledge
"I’m waking up with back pain. Is it my mattress?"
Does this sound familar? It very well could be the mattress that you’re sleeping on that is contributing to your low back, neck, leg, arm, and hip pain. Your spine requires support from head to toe to maintain the normal curves of your spine to reduce pressure that may contribute to pain. If you’re waking up stiff and sore every morning, the surface you are sleeping on is probably not supporting you properly.
A person generally spends 6 to 10 hours in bed every day to rest and rejuvenate. The first few hours may be restful and then without a supportive surface, the next few hours become restless, followed by waking in pain.
It is more critical to have the appropriate support if you have arthritis or another inflammatory condition, or an injury. The support keeps the joints positioned to decrease inflammation, thereby reducing pain.
A mattress has about a 10 to 15-year life, and that’s if you take care of it properly. The mattress should be supported by a firm surface. If it has a pillow top, proper care requires spinning the mattress 180 degrees every three months to change the pressure points. If you have a mattress that can be flipped, it requires flipping the mattress and rotating it 180 degrees every 3 months. Without proper care, the life of the mattress will be decreased significantly.
When it’s time for a new mattress, if you’re looking for a non-inflatable traditional mattress, there are several things to consider when making a purchase. If you have spine issues, generally a mattress that is firmer will provide better support. A mattress with individually wrapped coils will provide a good supportive base and will not break down as quickly as mattresses that are primarily foam, memory foam, or gel materials. A layer of tightly packed foam on top of the coils will provide a softer feel without sacrificing the stability of the coils.
There are typically three choices of tops on a mattress. A soft pillow top with padding sewn on top of the mattress cover, a soft Euro top with padding sewn under the mattress cover, or a firmer Tight Top with a layer of material tightly stretched across the top of the mattress cover. The Tight Top will be the most supportive and break down the slowest.
The best way to choose a mattress is to go to the store and lie on a variety of mattresses. Although it’s tempting to shop from the comfort of your couch you may end up with a mattress that is not comfortable or suited to your needs. When you lie down on a mattress in the store, it should feel comfortable instantly. A mattress generally won’t feel better with time so be willing to lie on the mattress for 10 to 15 minutes in the store. Mattresses can be expensive and worth what you pay for them for a good night’s rest!