Possible deterioration at the beginning of the application of effective measures during infection

Deterioration in the beginning of effective treatment of an infection, how is this even possible? It turns out that it is possible and understandable. But it won't happen to everyone!

Applying effective anti-infectious measures may be followed by initial deterioration,e.g. flu-like symptoms, nausea, or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Such deterioration after the use of effective antibiotic therapy is called Łukasiewicz-Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. The Łukasiewicz-Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, also known as Herx for short, is the effect of the release of toxins from pathogens rapidly killed by an antibiotic.

A large amount of toxins secreted in a relatively short time may cause the liver and kidneys (the two secretory organs responsible for toxins removal) to fail with effective detoxification. Then we are dealing with a temporary state of toxicosis, i.e. poisoning the body and following flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.

But not only antibiotics can lead to the rapid extinction of pathogens, and thus the appearance of large amounts of toxins in the blood. It might also happen that the body itself triggers a very strong inflammatory reaction which might cause a similar temporary toxicicosis.

Is it dangerous and does it affect everyone?

This deterioration is usually temporary and will resolve as the secretory organs remove accumulated toxins. It is sometimes called a recovery crisis because, unless there are individual complications, it is actually a temporary step to recovery.

Of course, not all people have to experience such deterioration. It is a very individual reaction. Usually it is short: lasts a few days. However, in case of some people it can be dangerous to health, so any deterioration after starting any treatment should be reported to your doctor immediately!

To minimize the risk of a herx-like reaction while treating an infection, it is worth to:

• use any home-made or OTC healthy products, including dietary supplements, gradually, not in hitting amounts
• increase the amount of fluid in the diet (preferably in the form of water) to stimulate more efficient blood cleansing and excretion of toxins from the body
• drink juices or shakes with green barley, green algae and herbs that support liver and kidney function.