If the future is as bright as we believe it will be, regarding the use of naturally-occurring bacteriophages to kill Borrelia, and the co-infections common in the tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, the fear of causing a severe Jarisch-Herxheimer response (JHR), may become a thing of the past.
A Jarisch-Herxheimer response, otherwise known as a Herx reaction is a worsening of person’s symptoms associated with immune cells in the body releasing cytokines that increase inflammation. The popular idea that a herx is due to the direct die off toxins of the bacteria is not supported by the latest research. This article will present research as to why bacteriophage killing of bacteria do not result in severe herx reactions when compared to antibiotic use, and present preventive measures to minimize herx reactions.