HHV6, a human herpes virus discovered in the mid-eighties, is active in nearly all Lyme disease patients along with borrelias Burgdorferi, the infamous bacteria known to cause Lyme. Though often referred to as a co-infection, HHV6 is not transmitted with the Lyme infection. The human herpes virus (HHV6) is opportunistic, and lays inactive in hosts waiting for the moment of least environmental resistance to strike. A Lyme infection is one such opportunity HHV6 commonly takes to present itself.
There are two variations of the human herpes virus known as HHV-6A and HHV-6B. Nearly identical, the two virus strains differ only in their activation cycles within the host.

HHV-6A

This particular strain of HHV-6 is commonly found in patients with Lyme disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), AIDS, and Cancer. Most often it strikes within an adult host and is associated with neurological symptoms and fatigue.

HHV6B

Affecting nearly 100% of children by the age of two, it commonly presents with fever and encephalitis in infants. Reactivation of HHV-6B can also occur in patients of all ages who have received a transplant. The B strain of HHV6 is characterized by mild flu-like symptoms and rash in some cases. Progression of this strain is accompanied by high fever, encephalitis and even seizures. In most cases, and after the initial activation, the virus lies dormant or latent. Reactivation of HHV6B occurs in 4% of transplant patients causing complications such as encephalitis, pneumonitis and liver failure.

Differences In The HHV6A and HHV6B Virus Strains

Though nearly identical, there are differences in epidemiology and pathogenicity of the two strains. HHV-6B is acquired in early childhood (often in daycare centers), infecting up to 90% of most populations during infancy, while HHV-6A, is generally not seen until adulthood. Both versions of the virus can be found in saliva and are assumed to be spread this way as well.

Dangers Associated With HHV6

HHV-6 is of greatest concern to immunocompromised patients with a high HHV6 viral load, especially those who have had organ or bone marrow transplants, those who are HIV positive, and those with chronic Lyme disease complex. By attacking a number of cells in the body which aid its ability to fight off disease and infection, HHV6 is immune suppressive and can activate other viruses in the process.

HHV6 Attacks the Following Healthy Cells in the Human Body

• • CD 4 lymphocytes

• • NKTs

• • Oligodedrocytes

• • CD8 cells

• • Microglial cells

Pink areas indicate HHV6 infection thru a staining process

Though HHV-6 lies dormant for long periods of time, once reactivated, infection can occur quickly. During its dormancy the virus waits in salivary glands, kidneys or the brain until it is reactivated.

Connection to Cancer

Since more and more research continues to uncover a link between viruses and chronic illness including many cancers, HHV6 is at the forefront of continued study. Its link to cancer comes via a protein called P53 which regulates the cell cycle and acts as a tumor suppressor. HHV6 is known to attack this particular protein and is often found active in cancer patients.

The Herpes-Cancer Connection: What the Research Says

1. Herpes and Cervical Cancer

One of the most well-established links between herpes and cancer relates to cervical cancer. However, it’s crucial to note that this connection is specific to the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection distinct from HSV. While both viruses can cause genital sores, HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer.

2. Herpes and Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Kaposi’s sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of blood and lymph vessels, has been linked to herpes simplex virus type 8 (HSV-8), also known as Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). This virus is different from the HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains commonly associated with oral and genital herpes. While HSV-8 is a contributing factor to Kaposi’s sarcoma, it typically affects individuals with compromised immune systems or autoimmune disorders.

3. Herpes and Other Cancers

Studies have suggested potential associations between herpes and other types of cancer, such as oral and prostate cancer. Many factors, including lifestyle choices, genetic predisposition, and other health conditions, can influence an individual’s cancer risk.

Lyme Disease Facts

1. Though most people are aware that Lyme disease can be transmitted via the bite of an infected tick, many don’t know that it can also be transmitted thru a blood transfusion, and mother to fetus, including biting flies, mosquitos, spiders and mice. Calling Lyme disease a “tick-borne” illness could be misleading. spiral shaped bacteria

2. Approx 300,000 new cases of Lyme disease are estimated to occur each year. Due to many challenges in diagnosing the disease and in the way the disease mimics others these numbers are likely much higher.

3. Misdiagnosis is common with Lyme disease. Known as “The Great Imitator” it has the ability to mimic virtually any disease. It’s commonly misdiagnosed for Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Parkinsons, Autism, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

4. Two of the most common symptoms of chronic Lyme are profound fatigue and randomized joint pain

5. Borrelia Burgdorferi is the most complex bacteria in scientific history. Co-infections like Bartonella, Rikettsia, and Babesiosis complicate the treatment for Lyme further. Certain antibiotics that may work for Borrelia are ineffective for one or more of these co-infections. Treatment methods with antibiotics have mixed results

6. Besides imitating certain diseases some suspect Lyme is the actual disease. Due to the strikingly similar characteristics of patient symptoms, and the similar areas of white matter visible on the brain, Multiple Sclerosis and Lyme are suspected by some to be the same disease. There is a high probability the same is true for chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia since both are actually symptoms common in other diseases such as Lyme.

7. Lyme disease has over 100 different symptoms associated with it. This makes accurate diagnosis challenging, leading patients to a chronic condition after it goes untreated. Adding to that is the lack of definitive testing, requiring a clinical diagnosis of the patient’s symptoms, history and lifestyle. If the doctor is not Lyme Literate getting a chronic Lyme diagnosis is slim due to the reigning controversy, despite the evidence that supports chronic Lyme.

8. Less than 50% of patient’s ever recall being bit by a tick or in getting a bulls eye rash, the tell-tale sign of infection

9. Inaccurate testing methods have also contributed to the common misdiagnosis of Lyme disease, leading to an advanced form known as “chronic Lyme” Chronic Lyme is considerably more challenging to treat with success, and is incurable. Patient’s can however experience a full recovery from their symptoms, long term, with the right treatment.

10. Lyme Disease is the fasting growing infectious disease in the United States.

11. So far over 65 strains of borrelia, the bacteria known to cause Lyme, have been identified.

12. According to Dr. Alan McDonald,standard testing for Lyme is sensitive for only one strain of Borrelia, moreover this strain has never been found in humans. It was only discovered in the gut of a tick. Technically we are not even sure if this strain of bacteria can be transmitted to humans via a tick or other known carrier.

13. Borrelia bacteria can morph into three visually unique shapes allowing them to hide easily from immune attack, and to easily move thru certain areas with denser tissue. Their evolution suggests the possibility that they have been around and in our bodies, longer than we think.

14. The three distinct forms which Borrelia have the ability to morph into and then change back into the previous form again are:

1. A. Spherical or round shaped
2. B. Rod Shaped
3. C. Spirochetes or Spiral forms

A large majority of patients who test positive for Lyme also test positive for at least one other co-infection. One tick may carry more than one infection in a single bite. These co-infections may account for the wide range of symptoms amongst chronic sufferers of Lyme disease. Some of the co-infections include Babesia, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella although there are at least 13 in total that have been identified.

Coinfection of Babesia

Babesia, the most common piroplasm infecting humans is from a malaria-like parasite that infects red blood cells. Ticks also carry Babesia and may carry it alone or alongside Lyme spirochetes. This coinfection of Lyme disease can also be transmitted through a blood transfusion.

Symptoms

Symptoms of babesiosis resemble the same ones associated with Lyme disease but it more often starts with a high fever and chills. Progression of the disease is marked by fatigue, headaches, and vomiting.

Babesiosis can be life threatening in individuals with no spleen, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems. Complications include very low blood pressure, liver problems, severe anemia, and kidney failure.

Coinfection of Ehrlichia

Also caused by tick-borne parasites this bacteria infects white blood cells. There are two types of ehrlichia known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). HGE was later renamed “anaplasmosis” in 2003. Although it is not known for sure, it is likely that HGE and HME are transmitted from two different ticks. The lone star tick likely transmits HME and the deer tick HGE

Symptoms

Fatigue, headache, sudden high fever, muscle aches. Severely ill patients can have low white blood cell count, low platelet count, anemia, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure and respiratory problems.

Coinfection of Bartonella

Bartonella are bacteria living inside cells and can infect humans, mammals and a wide range of wild animals. There are many different species of Bartonella transmitted from fleas, body lice, cats and ticks. Although the bacteria are most commonly spread from cats, Bartonellosis has been found in some humans who recall a tick bite and have had no known exposure to cats.

At least 5 different types of bartonella bacteria have been identified in I.Pacificus Ticks collected in California.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Bartonella are fairly mild with fever, headache, chills, loss of appetite. It also presents an unusual rash that resembles cat scratches or lines that run vertically. Patients may also experience swollen glands under the armpits, and on the neck.

Adriana’s Story

After heading off to her dream school Georgetown University,in Washington DC and five days into her freshmen year,

Adriana collapsed and needed to return home. Sixteen months of intense suffering and with the resource of her mother, family, friends and Doctors, Adriana travelled to Arizona for treatment at Sunridge Medical with Dr. Franco. She tells us it was the turning point to recovery and after treatment was determined to climb Sunrise Peak! It became her mission to “Pay It Forward” and provide other sufferers of Lyme Disease the same life saving treatments and opportunities she received. LymeAid5k.com was born, a 5K walk/run in Winter Park, Florida to raise money and awareness of this often misdiagnosed disease.

One day while Adriana was lying in a recliner at Sunridge Medical in Arizona receiving treatment, she turned to her mother (Anita Riggs – RN,LMHC,CAP); who ran a medical facility in Florida for over 20 years and expressed, “Could you imagine if people couldn’t afford to do this and how awful it would be if they couldn’t receive this kind of treatment..?” That’s when the idea to send someone to treatment by way of fundraising through a 5K walk/run came to life.

As the sun was shinning and over 300 participants in attendance, the first annual LymeAid5K.com took place May 5, 2013 at Winter Park, Florida. With the help of many friends and family, the successful event was to raise awareness of lyme and all the people suffering with this life altering and debilitating disease.

The story and commitment of Adriana and her family to share their experiences, raise awareness about lyme disease and provide the opportunity for someone less fortunate to receive treatment, has inspired and touched everyone here at Sunridge Medical.

Please help support Adriana’s vision to “Pay It Forward” and visit www.LymeAid5K.com to make a donation or participate in next year’s event!

**NOTICE** These testimonials are written by patients or patient’s family member of Sunridge Medical Wellness Center. The content of this testimonial has not been edited by the administrators or representatives of Sunridge Medical. No compensation, monetary or otherwise, was given to the patient or patient’s family for the writing and submission of these testimonials. The opinions and views expressed within these testimonials belong specifically to the writers. Neither the administrators nor representatives of Sunridge Medical shall be held responsible for the opinions and views expressed within these testimonials.

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