Re: Re: Intro from newbie to group-long but interesting (Ihope)

[Guest guest]

Here's is a brief. There is more to it.

Jarisch-Herxheimer Reactions

These reactions were discovered by Dr. Jarisch and Dr. Herxheimer, and

result from taking antibiotics. The reaction is that symptoms get worse.

As antibiotics kill germs, the germs (such as bacteria) die and they

release their toxins. Symptoms are caused by toxins. So, the

Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is thought to be due to significant amounts

of toxin, causing symptoms.

An example of toxins causing symptoms would be Strep throat. The reason

your throat hurts is due to toxins from the Streptococci bacteria.

Likewise, the flu makes you achy and feel lousy, due to toxins from the

virus.

Syphilis, relapsing fever, and Babesiosis are other infections that call

for antibiotics which cause Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions. Why these

reactions are not seen with all infections is unknown.

Borreliosis (Lyme disease) is highly associated with Jarisch-Herxheimer

reactions. Most of my patients with Borreliosis have these reactions.

Since different species of Borrelia cause the clinical pattern of

symptoms associated with Lyme disease, then Borreliosis is a more

accurate term.

This is an infection. Old Lyme is a town in Connecticut. So I use the

name Borreliosis, not Lyme disease.

Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions are often called Herxheimers for short. Or

even Herx is used to avoid the tongue twister that arises from the full

name!

> What is a herxheimer reaction?

> Elaine

>