/24-7PressRelease/ - BURBANK, CA, March 15, 2007 - A grossly inadequate understanding by military physicians of the condition labeled post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) underscores much of the current controversy regarding sub-optional healthcare of veterans. As with Gulf War syndrome (GWS), the military hierarchy has resisted attempts to identify an infectious cause for PTSD. Subtle signs of organic brain disease, consistent with a viral encephalopathy have either not been sought or discarded when observed in PTSD patients. Instead, the cause of PTSD has been attributed to a maladaptive psychological response to the stress of war. All too often this reaction is suspiciously viewed as blending with a voluntary shirking of social responsibilities, which can lead the veteran to a seemingly unjustified expectation of lifelong disability. An adversarial challenge can ensure with the mistaken belief that any medical discussion of a potential physical disorder will likely prolong and intensify the disability claim.
Reports indicating that GWS is also a consequence of viral infection of the brain were ignored by the military because of the obvious inference that the disease might then be contagious and could potentially involve other family members. Even when veterans did report subsequent illnesses among family members, including children, the military was unwilling to perform virus cultures on the veteran or on close personal contacts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also refused to culture blood samples from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or GWS patients. Were they to do so, the majority of these patients would be shown to be actively infected with stealth adapted viruses. So too probably will the majority of veterans labeled as having PTSD.
Stealth-adapted viruses is simply a generic term used to describe cell damaging (cytopathic) viruses that lack the few critical components normally targeted by the cellular immune system. Stealth viruses do not evoke the typical inflammatory reaction expected with most conventional viruses. Still, signs of a brain infection can be seen especially in the subtle alterations of cognitive and emotional functions; typically accompanied by fatigue and insomnia. Stealth adapted viruses can be readily cultured in the laboratory using minor adaptations to existing established procedures.
The best characterized stealth adapted viruses originated from the simian cytomegalovirus of African green monkeys (SCMV). African green monkeys were used extensively to produce live polio virus vaccines. Indeed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed the presence of SCMV DNA in several licensed polio vaccines approved for used during the 1970's. Again this finding has not been pursued for largely political and economic reasons. Consequently, the epidemic of stealth virus infections, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, has been allowed to proceed without regard to the medical consequences.
Stress is a known activator of cytomegalovirus and a clear association can exist between stress and stealth adapted virus induced brain damage. Few psychiatrists are aware of such an association and, therefore, do not address this issue as part of routine psychiatric care.
Veterans with PTSD should be tested for infection by stealth adapted viruses. If the culture is positive, their illnesses need to be further evaluated as a probable stealth virus encephalopathy and appropriate therapy instituted. Resolution of this issue may go a long way towards alleviating the frustration of many veterans and their family members. For further information please visit the web site http://www.s3support.com or send an e-mail to s3support@mail.com
W. John Martin, MD, PhD.
Institute of Progressive Medicine
Burbank, California 91502
About The Institute of Progressive Medicine
The Institute of Progressive Medicine is a non-profit public charity. Its faculty includes specialists in infectious diseases, especially as a cause of chronic illnesses.
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