Your Old Infection Might Be Causing Your Current Autoimmune Disorder

Discover 5 key autoimmune triggers hiding in your past. From COVID and herpes simplex to staph, Epstein-Barr, and strep infections, Nurse Doza breaks down how past infections can reprogram your immune system to attack your own tissue — and what gut health has to do with it all. Gut (L-Glutamine) by MSW Nutrition Gut, featuring 4 grams of pure L-Glutamine per scoop, is the primary fuel source for the cells that line your intestinal wall. When past infections, antibiotics, or chronic stress compromise your gut barrier, your immune system loses its most important line of defense — creating the conditions where autoimmune triggers thrive. Gut helps repair the gut lining, reduce digestive inflammation, and support the immune cells that depend on a healthy gut to function properly. Whether you’re managing an existing autoimmune disorder or working to prevent one, healing your gut is where it starts. 👉 Get Gut here: https://mswnutrition.com/products/gut 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS Past infections are one of the most underrecognized autoimmune triggers.  COVID, herpes simplex, staph, Epstein-Barr, and strep have all been scientifically linked to the development of autoimmune disorders — often years after the original infection. Molecular mimicry is the hidden mechanism.  Some infections look so similar to your own tissue that your immune system gets confused and begins attacking you. This is an active and growing area of clinical research. You can have multiple autoimmune disorders simultaneously.  Most conventional doctors don’t connect the dots. Conditions like POTS, Ehlers-Danlos, PANDAS, and lupus can all be present at once — often rooted in overlapping infection history. The gut is ground zero for immune regulation.  A disrupted gut microbiome — caused by antibiotics, poor diet, and chronic infections — is a major driver of autoimmune disease. Gut dysbiosis doesn’t just cause digestive problems; it rewires your immune response. Supporting the gut lining is one of the most foundational steps you can take.  L-Glutamine patches the holes in a compromised gut lining, calms inflammation, and feeds the immune cells that live in your gut. Combined with Vitamin D, it’s a simple starting protocol for anyone dealing with autoimmune issues. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 START 03:58 – understanding autoimmune disorders  04:30 – The role of viruses, bacteria, and gut health i 07:02 – #5: COVID  12:20 – #4: Herpes simplex virus  16:03 – #3: Staph infections  20:48 – #2: Epstein-Barr virus  23:09 – #1: Strep infections  28:00 – PANDAS: strep’s role in neurological autoimmune disorders  33:00 – Glutathione, Cunningham Panel, getting your life back  RESOURCES Environmental Triggers and Chronic Viral Infections:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10051805/ Autoimmune Diseases: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment:  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21624-autoimmune-diseases#symptoms-and-causes COVID-19 and Autoimmune Disease Risk:  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12016-025-09124-4 Autoimmunity as a Driver of Long COVID:  https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/new-evidence-supports-autoimmunity-as-one-of-long-covids-underlying-drivers/ SARS-CoV-2 Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Responses (PMC):  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9350728/ Herpes Simplex Virus, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s Disease (PMC):  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10818483/ Bacterial Infections and Autoimmune Disease Development (PubMed):  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28919485/ Gut Microbiota and Innate Immune System in Autoimmune Diseases (PMC):  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11099291/ Staphylococcus aureus in the Human Microbiome (PMC):  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9791742/ Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV):  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459437/ Microbial Triggers of Autoimmune Disease:  https://domannualreports.stanford.edu/revealing-microbial-triggers-of-autoimmune-disease/ Epstein-Barr Virus and Autoimmune Diseases:  https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/epstein-barr-virus-autoimmune-diseases EBV and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease (PMC):  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8784775/ Strep Infections, Autoimmune Disease, and PANDAS (PMC):  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10920276/ Understanding PANDAS: https://pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandas/ JOIN MY SCHOOL for FREE: Every Wednesday, Nurse Doza hosts a live group consult. Bring your questions about autoimmune triggers, gut health, labs, supplements, or anything in between. These sessions are live only and not recorded, so showing up matters. 👉 https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here •  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcKyagDi468WscAOWM5VHA •  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursedoza/ •  Website: http://www.nursedoza.com/ •  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mendoza-dc-aprn-np-c-0609a038/ •  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursedoza •  Twitter: https://twitter.com/nursedoza