I'm pretty certain it's caused by a bacteria but listen to whoever you want to listen if I would have listened to someone telling me not to take Antibiotics then I wouldn't be here right now. Find out exactly what it is first do your own research like I did. It took me a while to figure out that it was all caused by t. whipplei bacteria which came from New Zealand. It's no coincidence that everyone on here has the same issues yet the candida diet isn't working for any of them. Just my personal opinion take it for what it's worth. Actinobacteria is spreading like wildfire in our country right now.