I am glad you brought up sudden onset of a disease. I have alopecia universalis that started my auto immune problems. It was a guess from Mayo clinic that I may have come in contact with thallium in the ground water. I also played with mercury from a broken thermometer when I was a child. These sudden virus like beginnings to many diseases, may indeed be happening because of polution. I do wonder how many of us started our degenerative conditions with virus like symptoms to begin with? Why are there more kids with ADD? I never even heard of that when I was a kid. I still remember polio in my neighborhood before there was the shot. It just seems to me in general, that maybe we are being exposed to things we know nothing about. Did I get my thyroid nodes (7) from too many CT scans and MRI's.? I am just in that questioning mode. thanks all, and have a peacefull and less painfull day. ginnie