Hello and welcome! It’s hard to say if your son’s job was a contributing factor. The current theory is that certain individuals are genetically predisposed to getting an autoimmune disease — and then some “trigger” actually activates the disease. Suspected triggers can include viral illness, stress, something in the environment, or physical trauma. The triggers just aren’t fully understood at this time.
This presentation from Dr. Noel Rose on autoimmunity might be of interest:
(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjTBZObWuPY
Wishing all the best to your son – hopefully, he has a doctor that he trusts who has talked to him about treatment options. (For more info on these options, you can check out the “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum).
