Many microbes are completely harmless, and some, like the microbes that live inside a healthy gut, have many benefits! A pathogen is a microbe that causes disease. These can be bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites and when present in the body in sufficient number, can cause harm.

When a pathogen invades the human host, it can cause acute infection. Most of these acute infections manifest as gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms such as diarrhoea, fatigue and fever. If the immune system is able to launch an appropriate response to the invading microbe it should be cleared from the body.

However, in some cases, the pathogen actually remains inside the body in a latent state. What’s more, some people acquire and carry a pathogen without ever experiencing an acute infection. The undetected pathogen may not result in symptoms for many years.

A pathogen that is hiding out inside the body’s cells, not causing acute symptoms but still releasing toxins can lead to immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation and tissue damage. This is thought to be a key factor in the development and continuation of autoimmune diseases.

The Pathogen Associated Immune Reactivity Screen identifies oral, viral, gastrointestinal, viral and tick-borne pathogens that are in a latent or chronic reactivating state and therefore contributing to inflammation and autoimmune reactivity. It also pinpoints gastrointestinal parasites, environmental fungi and bacterial and stealth pathogens, so is recommended for people who:

• Present with an autoimmune disease that may have been exposed to bacteria, viruses, parasites or moulds. For example from a tick bite, a dental problem, past gastrointestinal disease or moulds at home or in the working environment.
• Present with chronic conditions such as gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, body aches or unexplained and general inflammation, including neuroinflammation.
• Have not fully responded to clinical interventions, such as detoxification and dietary modifications.