[roganartu]

> There are other viruses like this as well (ones that most people get/have but aren't dangerous). I was on one medication where I needed to be tested monthly because if I got one particular (normally harmless) virus, the suppression caused by the medication meant I would probably die.

For those curious, I’m going to guess and say this might’ve been Tysabri (natalizumab) and that the virus in question is JCV (John Cunningham virus). After approximately two years on Tysabri, people who test positive for JCV antibodies (approx half the population of the US) have an extremely high chance of developing an often-fatal brain infection called PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy).

Tysabri was originally pulled by the FDA due to PML deaths back in the early 2000s, but later got reapproved after the link to JCV was discovered. Nowadays patients get tested for JCV antibodies every 6 months. The treatment is considered quite safe now, with the caveat that if you test positive you cannot get Tysabri anymore. Most people don’t switch from negative to positive, but it happens occasionally.

Source: my wife has a rare form of MS and has been on Tysabri for about 5 years now, relapse free. Modern MS drugs are a scientific marvel.

[loudtieblahblah]

Monthly 3-4 day fasts - combined with a healthy diet in between (Mediterranean for ex) do wonders for autoimmune issues as well.

It was found fasting kills off old immune cells and activates stem cells to make new ones.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7474734/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31442401/

https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMra1905136

http://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/abstract/S1934-5909(14)00...

In plain English

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2014/12/30/can-a...

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277860#In-mice,-pr...

[2dvisio]

Confirm. My brother is was on Tysabri for more than 5 and recently got confirmation of JCV. The checkup is however more regular. Blood test + MRI + symptoms check every three months, as if done less regularly would increase massively the risk. If JCV flare up is detected they’ll need to flush/wash the Tysabri away from his bloodstream.

He also got a severe mononucleosis infection before being diagnosed, and at that time we all thought that could have been the cause.

[Mezzie]

Bingo!