What are hidden infections, and why are they so important to your health? – This is the fourth in a Special Series of articles about solving some of the greatest yet least detected threats to our health.
If you’ve ever been diagnosed with chronic inflammation or inexplicable fatigue, or you acquired a more serious condition that seemed to come out of nowhere, then hidden stress might be the culprit.
In Discovering the Nature of Longevity, I describe two types of hidden stress that affect how long and well we live. Each is under-recognized and under-detected in standard healthcare, with the result that healthcare providers sometimes can’t tell why we’re sick or misdiagnose the cause.
One of those hidden stresses is low-grade infections that are hard to detect. These infections trigger what’s known as “subclinical” symptoms, i.e., no appreciable symptoms or symptoms that can be mistaken for something else. These infections have developed clever ways of fooling our immune system. They often hide in immune cells themselves or release tiny decoys to draw attention away from them.
A few examples:
1. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): Infects the stomach lining and causes ulcers. Many people never experience symptoms, but others end up with gastritis and, on rare occasions, stomach cancer.
2. Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Most infections show no symptoms and the body resolves them on its own, but some persist, leading to cervical, throat, and other types of cancer.
3. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): Triggers mononucleosis. EBV can remain dormant in the body and may contribute to a condition known as chronic EBV infection, causing fatigue. It’s also linked to some cancers and autoimmune diseases.
4. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: These sexually transmitted infections often produce mild symptoms that can be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions, leading to inflammation and increasing the risk of infertility and other reproductive issues.
5. Dental Infections: Periodontal disease infects the gums and can be mild and go unnoticed. It’s associated with an increased risk of heart disease and can affect blood sugar in diabetics.
6. Mycobacterium avium Complex: This can cause respiratory problems but not produce symptoms until it’s advanced.
7. Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that can infect almost anyone but usually remains dormant. It can affect pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems.
8. Toxoplasma gondii: This parasite can be contracted from undercooked meat or contaminated water. It often causes no symptoms but can lead to serious complications.
Hard-to-detect infections that could play a role in heart disease include Helicobacter pylori, periodontal disease, pneumonia, Cytomegalovirus, Human immunodeficiency virus, and Herpes simplex virus.
The good news:
Targeting low-grade infections has shown the potential for slowing or preventing various diseases. There are clear examples where targeting infections has led to positive health outcomes.
One of the most treatable and preventable hidden infections is Periodontitis, which affects much of the population. This gum infection damages soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. And remember this: The path from your mouth to your brain is a short one. New research suggests a link between periodontitis and brain diseases.
Here’s how periodontitis might trigger those and other neurological conditions:
1. Chronic inflammation can spread beyond the mouth and may contribute to neural inflammation in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
2. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and reach the brain, possibly contributing to amyloid plaques that are well-known in Alzheimer’s.
3. The body’s immune system’s response to this infection may promote inflammation and damage in the brain.
4. Toxins produced by the infection could impact neural cells.
The motto here is: Clean your teeth (especially with floss!). The mouth is the window to your body. It’s where many of the contaminants from food and drink start out. Periodontitis is completely preventable with proper dental hygiene.
Some studies suggest that managing periodontal disease can lead to improvements in cardiovascular health, such as endothelial function and arterial stiffness.
There is also evidence that when other hidden infections are targeted, results are positive:
- Eradication of H. pylori can lead to the resolution of peptic ulcers and reduce the risk of gastric cancer.
- Antiviral therapy that clears Hepatitis C can halt or reverse liver damage in many patients, significantly reducing the risk of developing severe liver disease and improving quality of life.
- Treatment of Chlamydia pneumoniae, especially in chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has been explored for improving lung function.
If you’re feeling ill and your healthcare providers can’t figure out why, check if they’ve done tests for low-grade infections. For more information about these, refer to the chapters of my book that describe them and how they are being targeted with therapy. Scientific references are also included.
- About the author: Douglas Mulhall’s latest book, Discovering the Nature of Longevity: Restoring the Heart and Body by Targeting Hidden Stress, explores prevention and therapies for heavy metals contamination. It is recommended by the American Institute of Stress and carries a Foreword by the Chief author of the American Heart Association statement on toxic heavy metals. He co-develops award-winning certifications and standards for products globally and is a registered ISO expert on a global standard for declaring the contents of products.
- Read more from VIP Executive Contributor Douglas Mulhall: