Manifestations of the disease

We need to change our paradigm from the existing one that symptoms are directly due to the pathogen or insult to the understanding that the symptoms and in fact clinical markers are due to the immune response. So instead of believing shingles erupts or herpes erupts or cystitis symptoms erupt when our immunity is depressed, we see these eruptions as an immune activation.

Of course, if there are factors suppressing immune function then these reactions will be ineffective long term. But our routine approach of suppressing symptoms when faced with an “acute illness” is likely promoting chronic problems.

The immune response in autism

VDTP is produced in all higher order animals and is a glycoprotein that the body both needs and expects. Therefore it produces no side effects in humans and any symptoms are the result of an activated immune system – the manifestation of the disease.

If possible these symptoms should be managed accordingly, any attempt to suppress them can lead to prolonged symptoms and therefore discomfort. An extract from Dr Bradstreets paper

“During the first few weeks of treatment, 3 of 40 patients (7.5%) experienced low to moderate rise in body temperature, typically occur-ring 24 to 48 hours after administration and lasting less than 24 hours. Parents were instructed to use ibuprofen only if the temperature exceeded 102° F (approximately 39°C), and two were treated during the first few weeks. By the second month, no patients experienced significant febrile events. Interestingly, during the first 3 weeks, 6 of 40 patients (15%) were observed to have rashes compatible with viral exanthemas (generally on the trunk and in fine papules more commonly than maculae). Petechiae were not observed. These rashes could represent the manifestation of latent or persistent viral infections interacting with activated macrophages”

Fever as an immune response in autism – good or bad?

Fever is generally measured at about 40 – 40.5c (103 – 104f) and occurs naturally when we are infected by a virus, for example.

Fever is a very effective, and wise, reaction that has developed in all mammals and humans.

Because viruses, bacteria and pathogens multiply rapidly their membranes are thinner than those of naturally occurring cells and the fever weakens the membrane which makes them more vulnerable to an immune attack, or permanently disabling them.

The rise in temperature also stimulates the white blood cells in our immune system resulting in macrophage activation. Activated macrophages will then chase down, attack, kill and engulf any invader.

Worth mentioning as a foot note is that because we are all built from the same cellular building blocks, macrophages will recycle about 95% of the virus into new immune cells (killing them to strengthen us).

The other 5% is cellular debris and will be detoxified, in the case of fever – sweat.