Infection Associated Chronic Conditions & Illnesses

Infection-associated chronic conditions and illnesses (IACCIs) are long-term health conditions that either begin with (triggered by) or are significantly worsened by an infection. This can include bacterial, viral, or even parasitic infections, but despite the wide variety of underlying infections, the IACCIs share common characteristics:

they are chronic and often debilitating,
they impact quality of life
they often cause neurological and immunological symptoms
they are often poorly understood by the medical community

Patients with IACCIs frequently suffer from symptoms like chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment (brain fog), post-exertional malaise, pain, and immune dysfunction. These conditions can linger for months or years after the original infection has resolved and may impact various systems in the body.

Common Infection Associated Chronic Conditions & Illnesses

Long COVID
- Trigger: COVID-19
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Common triggers: Epstein-Barr virus (mono), influenza, or other viral infections)
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Trigger: Often follows a bacterial or viral infection (e.g., Campylobacter, Zika, influenza).
Reactive Arthritis
- Trigger: Bacterial infections (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella, Chlamydia)
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Common triggers: virus, including COVID-19
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
- Common triggers: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), tick-borne bacteria (Lyme Disease), Enteroviruses, Influenza
PANS/PANDAS
- Common trigger: Strep (Group A Streptococcus)
Multiple Sclerosis
- Suspected link: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Chronic Lyme Disease
- Trigger: Borrelia burgdorferi (tick-borne bacteria)

Collaborating For A Common Goal

Partnering with researchers, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, other organizations, and most importantly patients, is critical to understanding and treating IACCIs. Learn more about collaborations that are happening to address some of the barriers associated with these misunderstood conditions.

Did you know that brain inflammation can lead to mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety, and OCD? Unfortunately, misdiagnosis often delays proper care for patients experiencing these symptoms.

By participating in research, patients with IACCIs can contribute valuable data to help researchers understand these conditions better. By connecting patient communities and sharing research insights, we can drive progress and improve outcomes for individuals with 30+ related diseases.

Together, we can uncover the truth behind these complex disorders and pave the way for better care and treatment options.