Hi,
I would like to know the possibility a virus out there that has yet to be identified. I have several friends along with myself who appear to be sufferring from a slowly progressing form of aquired auto-immune disease (vrs. immune deficiecy). We have received diagnoses like MS, Lupus, multiple food alergies, and cronic insomnia. May be related to the region we live in. My concern is that since no one is dying, there is no research into this. The common denominator is a unprotected sex or IV drug use in recent years. All commonly knows viral assays come back negative. Is there another health agency I should contact with this?

Hey RentFan,

Have you and your friends tested for Grave's Disease or had your thyroid glands checked?

Some of the symptoms are:

Trouble Sleeping
Fatique
Frequent Bowel Movements
Trouble Getting Pregnant
Weight Loss w/o Dieting
Irritability
Increased Sweating
Muscular Weakness
Changes in Vision and How your eyes look
Heat Sensitivity or Cold Sensitivity
Lighter Menstrual Flow
Hand Tremors
Leg Tremors
Lighter Menstrual Flow

The only STI that truly attacks the immune system from what I know is HIV/AIDS. There are two types and many people don't know this. In the western hemisphere, it is usually type 1 but in Africa and some parts of Europe and Asia there is type 2 and there are more cases of type 2 showing up right now in the western hemisphere.

There are so many autoimmune diseases out there that you will need to find a doctor whose patient enough to find what is causing your issue.

For example. Here's a list:

Blood and blood vessels

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Pernicious anemia
Polyarteritis nodosa
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Wegener’s granulomatosis


Digestive tract (including the mouth)

Autoimmune hepatitis
Behçet’s disease
Crohn’s disease
Primary bilary cirrhosis
Scleroderma
Ulcerative colitis


Eyes

Sjögren’s syndrome
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Uveitis




Glands

Graves’ disease
Thyroiditis
Type 1 diabetes mellitus



Heart

Myocarditis
Rheumatic fever
Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus




Joints

Ankylosing spondylitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus




Kidneys

Glomerulonephritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Type 1 diabetes mellitus




Lungs

Rheumatoid arthritis
Sarcoidosis
Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus



Muscles

Dermatomyositis
Myasthenia gravis
Polymyositis



Nerves and brain

Guillain-Barré syndrome
Multiple sclerosis
Systemic lupus erythematosus



Skin

Alopecia areata
Pemphigus/pemphigoid
Psoriasis
Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Vitiligo


This is just a start to the many types. I will keep researching myself but think about your symptoms. Sometimes, the immune system can malfunction and fight against the body as well.

You may want to call ASHA's hotline or even speak to the CDC. They may be able to help. Also others on the board may know some answers as well.

I hope this helps

Take Care of Yourself