Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

CIRS is caused by exposure to biotoxins—harmful substances produced by mold, bacteria, or other organisms. Common sources include water-damaged buildings, tick-borne infections (like Lyme disease), and other environmental exposures. If you have a genetic predisposition to biotoxin illness, these exposures trigger a persistent inflammatory response that impair your body’s ability to detoxify and regulate your immune function.

CIRS is often referred to as mold illness or biotoxin illness, but they are not exactly the same. Mold and biotoxins are triggers of CIRS—a broader condition involving chronic immune system activation and inflammation. You can learn more about mold-related illness on our dedicated Biotoxin (Mold) Illness page.

Diagnosing CIRS involves a combination of clinical evaluation, symptom scoring, and specialized lab testing. There is no one definitive test for CIRS, but instead a pattern of key factors, symptoms, clinical responses and diagnostic testing. These analytic tools include the Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) test, urine and blood mycotoxin testing, genetic testing for HLA-DR susceptibility, and blood markers that assess inflammation, hormone levels, and immune system function.

Yes. While CIRS is complex, it can often be reversed with the right treatment. By eliminating toxin exposure, supporting detoxification, restoring immune function, and correcting underlying imbalances, most individuals experience substantial symptom relief and long-term recovery.

Genetic susceptibility plays a major role in CIRS. If you have specific HLA-DR gene types, your ability to clear biotoxins from your body is impaired, making you more likely to develop chronic inflammation and related symptoms after exposure.

Recovery time varies depending on your toxic load, length of exposure, and underlying metabolic and hormonal imbalances. Some people see improvement within days, while others may need substantially more time to rebuild and repair their stressed and distorted systems. A personalized, metabolically directed treatment approach supports steady progress over time.

Absolutely. Many people with CIRS experience psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and brain fog. These symptoms are often a direct result of immune dysregulation, chronic inflammation,hormonal and metabolic imbalances and neurotoxic effects of chronic stress and biotoxins on your brain and nervous system.

While both conditions can involve chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, CIRS is primarily triggered by biotoxins (including mold and cyanobacteria), while Lyme disease is caused by infection with the Borrelia bacteria. It’s also possible for Lyme disease to trigger or contribute to CIRS. Proper testing and clinical evaluation can determine if you’re dealing with one or both conditions.

Yes. Avoidance of dietary toxins like seed oils (vegetable oils), sugar and processed foods are extremely important to your recovery. Sufficient intake of healthy fats and avoidance of toxic fats are vital to production of your sex and adrenal cortex hormones. Your diet will be individualized to account for your distinct biological needs after functional and metabolic analysis. You may also need specific nutritional support to enhance your recovery.

If your symptoms worsen when you are in certain environments and improve when you leave, this may be a sign of mold or toxin exposure. However, if you are colonized with mold or candida, you may feel poorly no matter where you go. Testing your environments for mold, endotoxins, mycotoxins, elevated humidity and/or poor ventilation is extremely important. Consulting with a qualified mold inspector can help determine if your environment is contributing to your illness.