Jay Davidson on “Parasites and Viruses”
Chiropractor Jay Davidson wrote a blog article called “Parasites and Viruses: Pathogens That Joint Forces To Disrupt The Body’s Immune Balance.”
From the article:
If you’re trying to clear viral infections, particularly human gammaherpesviruses such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), cytomegalovirus, or other Herpes-type viruses, if you don’t address the parasites first, it can make it extremely challenging to overcome the viral infection.
Parasites can provide a safe haven for viruses to hide. Plus, the combined activity of parasites and viruses can disrupt immune system balance. These pathogens cause changes in the immune response that can provide a more friendly environment for the parasites and viruses to thrive, particularly by modifying Th1 and Th2 immune activity (decreases↓ Th1 and increases↑ Th2).
The most favorable scenario is a well-balanced Th1 and Th2 response, suited to any immune challenge. The Th1 and Th2 balance comes under fire when parasites and viruses join forces within the body. A parasitic infection shifts the immune system function to TH2 dominance, lowering TH1 immunity. The lowered TH1 immunity allows the viruses within the body to replicate and go relatively uncontrolled as they are no longer kept in check by strong TH1 immune action.
When humans have parasites, the invaders live in our bodies, co-opt our resources, and contribute to disease. However, it turns out that parasites can have their own co-habitants, too.
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