Archive for the ‘Treatment’ Category

Double-Blind Study Shows Ivermectin Reduces Disease Duration & Infectiousness

https://m-jpost-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/m.jpost.com/health-science/israeli-scientist-says-covid-19-could-be-treated-for-under-1day

By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

AUGUST 2, 2021 21:01

Double-blind study shows ivermectin reduces disease’s duration and infectiousness • FDA and WHO caution against its use

Ivermectin, a drug used to fight parasites in third-world countries, could help reduce the length of infection for people who contract coronavirus for less than a $1 a day, according to recent research by Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer.
Prof. Eli Schwartz, founder of the Center for Travel Medicine and Tropical Disease at Sheba, conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial from May 15, 2020, through the end of January 2021 to evaluate the effectiveness of ivermectin in reducing viral shedding among nonhospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.
Ivermectin has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration since 1987. The drug’s discoverers were awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in medicine for its treatment of onchocerciasis, a disease caused by infection with a parasitic roundworm.
Over the years, it has been used for other indications, including scabies and head lice. Moreover, in the last decade, several clinical studies have started to show its antiviral activity against viruses ranging from HIV and the flu to Zika and West Nile.  (See link for article)
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**Comment**
The study found in MedRxiv, a health-research sharing site, has not yet been peer reviewed.  The study found:
  • Approx. 72% of the Ivermectin group tested negative and 13% were infectious after day six
  • 50% of the placebo group tested positive and 50%, almost 4 times as many, were infectious after day six
  • 5 patients were referred to hospitals, 4 of them were in the placebo group
  • One hospitalized patient complained of shortness of breath, continued on ivermectin and was sent back to the hotel a DAY later in good condition
“Our study shows first and foremost that ivermectin has antiviral activity,” Schwartz said. “It also shows that there is almost a 100% chance that a person will be noninfectious in four to six days, which could lead to shortening isolation time for these people. This could have a huge economic and social impact.”
The study author points out that while this study did not address ivermectin as a prophylactic, or address hospitalization reduction, other studies have shown such evidence.
Other studies have shown:
  • 27 studies demonstrate ivermectin’s ability to prevent COVID
  • a recent review found ivermectin reduced death by 75%

Please see:  

isummary

Interestingly, ivermectin is on the WHO’s list of essential medicines yet an Israeli professor states there’s significant risks with it and that ‘caution should be used on a virus that the vast majority of the public will recover from without treatment.’  He didn’t bother to mention anything about fast-tracked experimental “vaccines” that thousands have been maimed and killed from and that experts are warning against.
To date the WHO is not supporting any trials to determine ivermectin’s viability.
Researchers in other places worldwide began looking into the drug at around the same time. But when they started to see positive results, no one wanted to publish them, Schwartz said.
“There is a lot of opposition,” he said. “We tried to publish it, and it was kicked away by three journals. No one even wanted to hear about it. You have to ask how come when the world is suffering.”
“This drug will not bring any big economic profits,” and so Big Pharma doesn’t want to deal with it, he said.
The article points out that some of the loudest opposition has come from Merck, the manufacturer of ivermectin since the 80’s.  Merck was peddling COVID vaccines until it was discovered “the immune responses were inferior to those seen following natural infection and those reported for other SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 vaccines.”  Now it’s peddling molnupiravir, which raked in 1.2 BILLION from a deal with the U.S. government.  It is currently in a phase 3 clinical trail.  So why make pennies when you can make BILLIONS?
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Category:

research, Treatment, vaccines, Viruses

Resolving Chronic Viruses Through Immune Modulation With Dr. Frank Shallenberger

https://www.betterhealthguy.com/episode148  Go Here for written transcript

Episode #148: Resolving Chronic Viruses Through Immune Modulation with Dr. Frank Shallenberger, MD

Updated: July 14 2021

Why You Should Listen

In this episode, you will learn about how to resolve chronic viruses through immune modulation.

Watch The Show

About My Guest

My guest for this episode is Dr. Frank Shallenberger.  Frank Shallenberger, MD has been practicing medicine since 1973 and has been a pioneer in alternative and integrative medicine since 1978.  He is one of only 16 physicians in Nevada that are licensed both in conventional medicine as well as alternative and homeopathic medicine; allowing him to integrate the best of both approaches for optimal results.  Dr. Shallenberger has revolutionized the practice of anti-aging and preventive medicine by developing a method to measure mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization.  He has written two popular books describing this method: “The Type 2 Diabetes Breakthrough” and “Bursting With Energy” and has authored numerous papers in the international peer reviewed literature on ozone therapy and oxygen utilization.  He is also the editor of Second Opinion alternative medical newsletter.  He is the developer of Prolozone®, an injection technique that has been shown to regenerate damaged joints, herniated discs, and degenerated joints, tendons, and soft tissues.  He published the first paper on Prolozone Therapy in the Journal of Prolotherapy entitled “Prolozone – Regenerating Joints and Eliminating Pain”.

Key Takeaways

  • What is a virus? Do they contribute to disease?
  • Should the focus be on killing or on immune modulation?
  • Can some viruses be health-promoting?
  • Can antivirals be helpful in dealing with chronic viruses?
  • What is the role of Th1 and Th2 in response to chronic viruses?
  • What are some of the factors that lead to Th2 dominance?
  • Where do antibodies come into the discussion? Are high IgG levels relevant?
  • How do “factories” and “missiles” help to explain the situation with chronic viruses?
  • How big of a foe is EBV?
  • Does the body itself produce ozone?
  • Can ozone help to address both the “factories” and the “missiles”?
  • What are some top “missile defense” tools?
  • How might NK cells be stimulated in shifting the system towards Th1?
  • How might medicinal mushrooms be helpful?
  • Can melatonin be immune-modulating?
  • How might hydrocortisone be helpful in addressing chronic viruses?
  • Is it important to address parasites before downregulating Th2 response?
  • How might immune tolerance tools like LDI be helpful in balancing the immune response?
  • In chronic illness, would more ozone passes be less often or less passes more often be more effective?

Connect With My Guest

http://AntiAgingMedicine.com

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Category:

Treatment, Viruses

US Health Officials Warn a Lesser-Known Tick-Borne Infection is On The Up

https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/on-top-of-lyme-disease-a-lesserknown-tickborne-infection-is-on-the-up/

US Health Officials Warn A Lesser-Known Tick-Borne Infection Is On The Up

By Tom Hale

07 JUL 2021

A little-known and rare tick-borne disease is on the rise in the US. Known as anaplasmosis, the bacterial disease is spread to people by tick bites, primarily from the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus), two species associated with the better-known infection of Lyme disease. 

Health officials in New York’s Onondaga County recently reported an unexpected case of anaplasmosis in Central New York. They also explained that recent years have seen an uptick (excuse the pun) of cases of this once-rare disease in the area. While a total of three cases were reported in Onondaga County from 2015 to 2020, there have been six reported cases so far this year. 

“In New York state, the disease is spread by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), which is the same type of tick that typically spreads Lyme disease,” Dr Indu Gupta, health commissioner of Onondaga County, said in a statement. “If we are diligent in practicing the same prevention measures we’ve learned to prevent Lyme disease, we are protecting ourselves from other tickborne diseases including anaplasmosis.” 

(See link for article)

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**Comment**

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests a similar rise of anaplasmosis is being seen across the country.

The article states that if you see a rash, get to your doctor.  (Many never get a rash and are still infected)

I would state get to your doctor for ANY known tick-bite and request prophylactic treatment.

It is widely known and accepted that prompt diagnosis and treatment is crucial and if treatment is delayed, Anaplasmosis can cause severe illness involving:

  • respiratory failure
  • bleeding problems
  • organ failure
  • death

Treatment for Anaplasmosis is doxycycline which has the advantage of treating numerous tick borne illnesses such as:

  • Lyme (borrelia)
  • Ehrlichia, Anaplasma
  • Q Fever
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

ILADS states the downside is that Doxy causes significant sun sensitization, can be hard on the stomach, and the usual dosing may not reach therapeutic levels. 

Recent data suggests that treatment may not clear organisms in animals.

Category:

Activism, Anaplasmosis, Treatment

What is Borrelia miyamotoi?

https://danielcameronmd.com/what-is-borrelia-miyamotoi/

WHAT IS BORRELIA MIYAMOTOI?

What is Borrelia miyamotoi

What is Borrelia miyamotoi? This tick-borne illness, transmitted by deer ticks, is believed to be underrecognized and a growing concern, as studies indicate a B. miyamotoi infection may be as common as anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Researchers randomly tested 250 individuals living in Manitoba, Canada and found that 10% were seropositive for B. miyamotoi. [1]

By 

Borrelia miyamotoi (B. miyamotoi) was first reported in the United States in 2013 but has become increasingly more common.  The tick-borne illness can be transmitted by the same tick that carries Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease pathogen. In their article, Della-Giustina and colleagues² address the question, “What is Borrelia miyamotoi?” and concerns surrounding this growing threat.

Where is B. miyamotoi found?

Borrelia miyamotoi (B. miyamotoi) can be found in various ticks including the deer tick. It has been detected in ticks located in the northeastern and northern Midwestern United States, California, Europe, and Asia.

What stage of deer ticks transmit B. miyamotoi?

Borrelia miyamotoi can be transmitted from all stages of a tick including the larval stage. The larval tick can harbor and transmit B. miyamotoi by passing the pathogen from the parent to the offspring, a process called transovarial transmission.

How fast can B. miyamotoi be transmitted?

Quickly, according to the authors.  “B. miyamotoi can be transmitted 10% of the time within the first 24 hours of attachment, increasing steadily to reach 73% for a complete feeding.  Thus, transmission of B. miyamotoi is more rapid than transmission of B. burgdorferi.”²

Symptoms of B. miyamotoi

The symptoms that have been described include fever, malaise, headache, and myalgias.  Some cases present with an elevated liver test, low white count and abnormal liver tests that have been described in Anaplasmosis, another tick-borne illness.  Only 11% of patients presented with an erythema migrans rash, according to findings from a case series.

Making the diagnosis

It can be difficult to diagnose B. miyamotoi.  “No test specific to B. miyamotoi has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as of October 2020,” the authors explain.

“The most specific test currently available in several public health and commercial laboratories is polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of blood or cerebrospinal fluid for the B. miyamotoi GlpQ enzyme.”

“Serologic testing of B. miyamotoi IgM and IgG antibodies is possible by a few commercial laboratories.” Unfortunately, it can be hard to interpret these tests, as they may cross-react to other spirochetes.  (The authors did not address the risk of cross reactions.)

“One test using this approach, the TBD serochip, is an array-based assay testing for 8 different tick-borne diseases, including B. miyamotoi. Developed in 2018, it is promising but has not yet become widely available.”

Treatment of B. miyamotoi 

There are no evidence-based trials to determine the best treatment for B. miyamotoi. Doxycycline has been suggested, as Lyme disease patients have improved with doxycycline.  “In vitro analysis has shown the susceptibility of B. miyamotoi to ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and doxycycline, with resistance to amoxicillin,” the authors explain.

Prophylactic treatment

Since B. miyamotoi can be transmitted rapidly, it may be prudent to consider prophylactic antibiotic treatment immediately, even if the tick has not been attached for 24 to 36 hours.

“Understanding this more rapid transmission of infection of B. miyamotoi may be a consideration in determining prophylactic treatment for tick bites with a shorter time of attachment in endemic areas for B. miyamotoi.”

Related Articles:

Could Borrelia miyamotoi infections explain persistent symptoms in Lyme disease patients?

C6 peptide test may indicate Borrelia miyamotoi infection

The best antibiotics to treat Borrelia miyamotoi?

References:
  1. Kadkhoda K, Dumouchel C, Brancato J, Gretchen A, Krause PJ. Human seroprevalence of Borrelia miyamotoi in Manitoba, Canada, in 2011-2014: a cross-sectional study. CMAJ Open. 2017;5(3):E690-E693.
  2. Della-Giustina D, Duke C, Goldflam K. Underrecognized Tickborne Illnesses: Borrelia Miyamotoi and Powassan Virus. Wilderness Environ Med. Jun 2021;32(2):240-246. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2021.01.005

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**Comment**

I’m always extremely skeptical of ALL information given on transmission times as reality has shown a far different picture.  For more on this:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/04/14/transmission-time-for-lymemsids-infection/   Important to note: minimum transmission time has never been determined and reality shows it can happen within a few hours.  Certain coinfections can happen within minutes.

Since Borrelia miyamotoi is not a reportable illness to the CDC, no one has any clue about prevalence but reports are coming in continually that it’s highly likely to be a much bigger problem than ‘authorities’ believe.

It was recently discovered that:

Category:

Borrelia Miyamotoi (Relapsing Fever Group), research, Testing, Ticks, Transmission, Treatment

How to Protect Yourself From Ticks With Permethrin-Treated Clothing

https://danielcameronmd.com/permethrin-treated-clothing-causes-hot-foot-effect-ticks/

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM TICKS WITH PERMETHRIN-TREATED CLOTHING

how-to-protect-yourself-from-ticks
Several studies have found that wearing permethrin-treated clothing can reduce the risk of tick bites. But very few studies have looked at the behavior of a tick when it comes in contact with permethrin-treated clothing. Does it climb onto the insecticide-soaked textile or avoid it entirely? Does permethrin actually kill ticks?
By 

As more individuals begin to venture outside with warmer weather, there are often concerns over how to protect yourself from ticks. Researchers have examined not only the effectiveness of various repellents and protective clothing but also the behavior of individuals who are more likely to encounter ticks.

Researchers in Indiana looked at the protective measures used by recreational hikers in their state. Surprisingly, they found that only 9.5% of hikers used a tick repellent, even fewer (3.4%) wore protective clothing and only 2 individuals “indicated that they took a shower post-recreation and used that activity to search for tick bites.” [1]

Ultrasonic device

Meanwhile, investigators in Australia recently studied the efficacy of ultrasonic pest repellent devices against the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. “As more than 80% of the ticks were not repelled within the confined area, this level of repellency is clearly insufficient to provide adequate protection from a potential tick bite,” they conclude. [2]

Permethrin-treated clothing

Several studies have looked at Permethrin-treated clothing in repelling ticks.  Sullivan et al. recruited state and county park employees from North Carolina to wear long-lasting Permethrin-impregnated (LLPI) clothing. The authors found that the clothing “retained Permethrin and bioactivity against ticks after three months of use in real-world conditions.” [3]

A study in Rhode Island aimed to provide insight as to how to protect yourself from ticks by examining Permethrin-treated footwear. The authors found that people wearing sneakers and socks treated with Permethrin were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite than those wearing untreated footwear. [4]

Meanwhile, another study explored the behavior of ticks when they encounter Permethrin-treated clothing. How do ticks react? Using a model that mimicked a pant leg or the arm of a long-sleeved shirt, scientists studied the behavior and fate of ticks when exposed to Permethrin-treated clothing. [5]

“Ticks approaching a textile impregnated with a strong non-contact spatial repellent (DEET) very rarely made physical contact with the treated textile,” according to Eisen and colleagues from the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [4]

Tick behavior when exposed to Permethrin

However, Permethrin-treated textiles did not repel ticks without contact, as seen with DEET. In fact, the majority (88%) of nymphal ticks chose to move onto Permethrin-treated textile versus DEET-treated textile.

After coming in contact with the treated clothing, the ticks dislodged through a “hot-foot” effect.

“Ticks readily walked onto a Permethrin-treated textile…. but laboratory-reared ticks became visibly agitated, displaying a hot-foot effect, and escaped contact with the Permethrin-treated textile by tumbling downwards until they dislodged themselves completely from a textile-covered assay card.”

Unfortunately, field-collected ticks were hardier than laboratory-reared ticks and able to sustain longer contact with the treated textile. The authors postulated that field-collected ticks have been exposed to highly variable temperatures and humidity conditions which may result in slower absorption of Permethrin.

“However, by 1 and 24 hours post-exposure very few ticks displayed normal movement, thus presenting minimal risk to bite, regardless of whether they were reared in the laboratory or collected in the field.”

“Contact with Permethrin-treated textiles negatively impacts the vigor and behavior of nymphal ticks for >24 hours,” according to Eisen, “with outcomes ranging from complete lack of movement to impaired movement and unwillingness of ticks displaying normal movement to ascend onto a human finger.”

One day after exposure, a majority of ticks were completely motionless. The remaining ticks were able to recover.

“Ticks having recovered normal movement 1 day after exposure in our study most often ascended onto a finger when given the opportunity (and presumably also were capable of biting),” Eisen points out.

“In a real-life scenario, prolonged periods of time where ticks having fallen off a human host after contact with Permethrin-treated textile are unable to move will undoubtedly increase the risk of mortality due to desiccation or predation.”

“A scenario more difficult to address in a bioassay is when a tick makes initial contact with bare skin and subsequently approaches loose-fitting summer-weight Permethrin treated garments, such as shorts or a T-shirt,” states Eisen.

“In this case, the tick may walk underneath the treated textile and be contacted primarily from the dorsal side as the person moves and the clothing comes in and out of contact with the tick and the person’s skin.”

Permethrin is acutely toxic in high doses. The authors did not address the potential toxicity of Permethrin to humans. “Acute signs of toxicity to the central nervous system include incoordination, ataxia, hyperactivity, convulsions, and finally prostration, paralysis, and death,” according to a review by the National Research Council (US) Subcommittee to Review Permethrin Toxicity from Military Uniforms. [6]

Note: Users have been advised not to inhale Permethrin when treating clothes and not to apply Permethrin to the skin.

Article Updated: June 1, 2021

Related Articles:

Only a minority of children with Lyme disease recall a tick bite

Are Lyme disease prevention methods really working?

How concerned are people about tick bites and tick-borne diseases?

References:
  1. Anderson KR, Blekking J, Omodior O. Tick trails: the role of online recreational trail reviews in identifying risk factors and behavioral recommendations associated with tick encounters in Indiana. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):908. Published 2021 May 13. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10940-4
  2. Panthawong A, Doggett SL, Chareonviriyaphap T. The Efficacy of Ultrasonic Pest Repellent Devices against the Australian Paralysis Tick, Ixodes holocyclus (Acari: Ixodidae). Insects. 2021;12(5):400. Published 2021 Apr 30. doi:10.3390/insects12050400
  3. Sullivan KM, Poffley A, Funkhouser S, et al. Bioabsorption and effectiveness of long-lasting permethrin-treated uniforms over three months among North Carolina outdoor workers. Parasit Vectors. 2019;12(1):52. Published 2019 Jan 23. doi:10.1186/s13071-019-3314-1
  4. Tick Encounter. https://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/permethrin
  5. Eisen L, Rose D, Prose R, et al. Bioassays to evaluate non-contact spatial repellency, contact irritancy, and acute toxicity of permethrin-treated clothing against nymphal Ixodes scapularis ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2017.
  6. Health Effects of Permethrin-Impregnated Army Battle-Dress Uniforms (1994) by National Research Council. 1994. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9274. at https://www.nap.edu/catalog/9274/health-effects-of-permethrin-impregnated-army-battle-dress-uniforms. Last accessed 8/12/17.

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It’s never simple, is it?

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Category:

Prevention, research, Ticks, Treatment