Strep linked to OCD in children

[Anonymous]

the autism biomedical community has known this for years...glad science is finally catching up.


http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/11/16/strep-throat-ocd-autism/

[Anonymous]

Is it just the regular strep virus or is Strep B related too? They test women for that when pregnant and then administer antibiotics during the birth to protect the baby. Wonder if that can contribute to issues?

[Anonymous]

No one knows if strep B can have the same effect. There are some PANDAS moms that tested + for strep B during pregnancy and received antibiotics during delivery, but many who did not test + for strep B as well.

[Anonymous]

If you want to learn more about PANDAS, look for Sue Swedo's research. A few caveats though - the relationship between strep and OCD/tics/anxiety is very muddy because 1) most kids who get strep do not develop these symptoms, 2) most kids with these symptoms do not test positive for strep antibodies, and 3) similar symptoms are sometimes seen in kids with non-strep infections that cause fevers. In addition, it is important to note that even for kids who do fit the profile, the symptoms disappear when the kids are treated with antibiotics (so strep is not a cause of long-term OCD or anything else).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to learn more about PANDAS, look for Sue Swedo's research. A few caveats though - the relationship between strep and OCD/tics/anxiety is very muddy because 1) most kids who get strep do not develop these symptoms, 2) most kids with these symptoms do not test positive for strep antibodies, and 3) similar symptoms are sometimes seen in kids with non-strep infections that cause fevers. In addition, it is important to note that even for kids who do fit the profile, the symptoms disappear when the kids are treated with antibiotics (so strep is not a cause of long-term OCD or anything else).

Sometimes the symptoms go away with antibiotics....in that case it was the strep bacteria causing the problems. But in PANDAS it's the antibodies attacking the brain. The bacterial may not even be present any longer. This is why PANDAS/PITANDS is an autoimmune disease, not a bacterial problem. The autism community is having a very difficult time dealing with this issue, because the majority of cases of OCD in autism is due to PANDAS, not the bacteria itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to learn more about PANDAS, look for Sue Swedo's research. A few caveats though - the relationship between strep and OCD/tics/anxiety is very muddy because 1) most kids who get strep do not develop these symptoms, 2) most kids with these symptoms do not test positive for strep antibodies, and 3) similar symptoms are sometimes seen in kids with non-strep infections that cause fevers. In addition, it is important to note that even for kids who do fit the profile, the symptoms disappear when the kids are treated with antibiotics (so strep is not a cause of long-term OCD or anything else).

Sometimes the symptoms go away with antibiotics....in that case it was the strep bacteria causing the problems. But in PANDAS it's the antibodies attacking the brain. The bacterial may not even be present any longer. This is why PANDAS/PITANDS is an autoimmune disease, not a bacterial problem. The autism community is having a very difficult time dealing with this issue, because the majority of cases of OCD in autism is due to PANDAS, not the bacteria itself.

Wait...are you saying that the majority of OCD cases in Autistic children are caused by Pandas? Is Pandas somehow more prevalent in Autistic kids?

[Anonymous]

What is the treatment? If you treat the strep will the OCD or autism-related issues lessen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the treatment? If you treat the strep will the OCD or autism-related issues lessen?

Interestingly enough, western medicine claims that there is no treatment for this if antibiotics don't work. Most DAN!s have a difficult time with this concept as well. But, I have personally withessed several children recover from PANDAS with a homeopathic remedy called Pleo Sanum Sans Strep. For my friend's son, the transformation was amazing...like night and day. Before the remedy, he was out of control and extremely (not mildly) quirky. After the remedy, he integrated into kindergarten unassisted and was the top reader in the class with the most beautiful handwriting.

My ASD DS was having an OCD flare a couple years ago, we treated with Pleo Sanum Sans Strep, the OCD lightened up. The rest seems to be related to his autism, rather than OCD.

It doesn't work for everyone though. I've watched some parents give it to their child and witness little to no results. But if you're child is suffering from OCD, it's worth a shot. Can get it online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to learn more about PANDAS, look for Sue Swedo's research. A few caveats though - the relationship between strep and OCD/tics/anxiety is very muddy because 1) most kids who get strep do not develop these symptoms, 2) most kids with these symptoms do not test positive for strep antibodies, and 3) similar symptoms are sometimes seen in kids with non-strep infections that cause fevers. In addition, it is important to note that even for kids who do fit the profile, the symptoms disappear when the kids are treated with antibiotics (so strep is not a cause of long-term OCD or anything else).

Sometimes the symptoms go away with antibiotics....in that case it was the strep bacteria causing the problems. But in PANDAS it's the antibodies attacking the brain. The bacterial may not even be present any longer. This is why PANDAS/PITANDS is an autoimmune disease, not a bacterial problem. The autism community is having a very difficult time dealing with this issue, because the majority of cases of OCD in autism is due to PANDAS, not the bacteria itself.

Wait...are you saying that the majority of OCD cases in Autistic children are caused by Pandas? Is Pandas somehow more prevalent in Autistic kids?

In my experience with my numerous friends with ASD, YES...it is very prevalent in ASD children. I'm beginning to change my tune regarding autism...I highly believe that the majority of severe cases of autism are PANDAS kids.