Are you wondering if you or someone you know could have Lyme disease?
Below are some questions and thoughts to help trigger your memory or help you discover
common misconceptions about Lyme disease.
 | Do you live in or visit a Lyme endemic area? |
|
| Do you have contact with people or pets who go outdoors in a Lyme endemic area? |
|
| Are you unsure what a tick looks like; or whether a tick could have bitten you? |
|
| Have you had a tick bite
 | but didn't get a rash at that time? |
| or didn't get flu-like symptoms at the time? |
|
|
| Have you been told that you do not have Lyme disease because
| your tests came back negative; |
| You had enough antibiotics to kill it; |
|
|
| Have you been told,
| There is no Lyme disease where you live; |
| You're suffering symptoms of another chronic illness. |
|
|
| Do you know why Lyme disease is called the "great imitator"?
|
|
| Have you had weird physical &/or mental symptoms and your doctor
| told you to see a shrink, |
| or sent you to one specialist
 | who sent you to another specialist |
| who sent you to another specialist |
| who sent you to another specialist... |
|
|
|
| Are you clueless how to prevent Lyme disease, or afraid to spend time outdoors?
|
|
| Are you unsure what the symptoms of acute or chronic Lyme infection or other tick-borne
illnesses are? |
|
| Are you looking for more information or for treatment of Lyme disease or other
tick-borne illnesses? |
|
| Do you think people with chronic Lyme infection are hypochondriacs or have anything but
Lyme disease? |
|
| Were you treated for Lyme disease long ago so you figure your symptoms must be from
something else? |
|
| If you've answered yes to any of these questions, please read on for more
information about this potentially serious but treatable infection that could strike you
or a loved one. |
| As many sufferers have found, your caregiver may not have experience or the latest
information about Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment. But there is hope... |
Want to see what a bull's eye rash looks like?
8 year old Peter's Lyme rash, 1 1/2 - 2 weeks after a tick was found
embedded in his scalp.
Click here: "Peter's Rash"
to view his rash.
Was this another bite site? We don't know.
He was fortunate.
He got the rash and we found it.
He responded well to 6 weeks of oral antibiotic treatment.
Did you know that only about 50% of people with Lyme disease get a bull's
eye rash and even fewer remember having a tick bite?
Lyme borreliosis infection almost knows no limits. It is known to be transmitted by the
black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick. The tick is an arachnid: it has 8 legs.
But it is so tiny it can easily be mistaken for a fleck of sand or a mole. In the nymphal
stage, it is the size of a tiny freckle; in the adult stage, it is about the size of a
poppyseed. An engorged female adult tick can be as large as a kernel of corn, similar to
an engorged dog tick. Dog ticks have a horseshoe pattern on their backs. The ticks feed
for about two days, after which they un-cement themselves and mature to the next stage of
life. They have a two year lifecycle.
Ticks like about 90% humidity and can be active in temperatures of 40 degrees and
higher. They prefer shady, moist areas such as at the edges of your yard, stone walls,
gardens and low growing plants along pathways where they can detect heat and presence of
passing animals, potential hosts-- mice, deer, dogs, cats, horses, cows, other mammals,
birds and humans.
It may not be well recognized where you live, but it is possible to get the infection
anywhere in the world the ticks may be found. The tick carrying the infection is so tiny
and easily spread by birds, mice, pets, etc.
The bull's eye rash is all that is necessary to confirm acute (early) Lyme infection.
If you have the rash, take photos if at all possible. See a reliable physician
immediately. Don't wait to see if the rash goes away on its own or for the start of
symptoms or for unreliable lab tests to come back. The diagnosis is based on other
clinical symptoms and the patient history if there is no rash present. Lab tests are
useful in confirming an antibody response but are not always reliable.
The rash may or may not be accompanied by a flu-like illness. Unfortunately, only about
50% of those infected get this rash, which typically appears 3 days to 3 months following
the bite. The rash does not always occur at the site of the bite, and there are other
variations of the rash. A reaction occurring within 2 days of the bite is generally
thought to be an allergic reaction.
If you don't have the rash, your doctor will have to base the diagnosis on other
symptoms you have. Lab tests may confirm presence of Lyme, but can be negative despite
genuine infection.
The borreliosis infection can be transmitted in pregnancy and perhaps lactation.
Childbearing/nursing women who suspect being infected should not delay seeking treatment.
There is no proof of sexual transmission to date, although partners have been known to
be infected. It is likely that they have been infected themselves, not that it was
transmitted to them through intimate relations.
Lyme disease can be transmitted through blood transfusions, thus anyone with Lyme
symptoms, regardless of test results should not donate blood or organs.
Other possible means of transmission: infection from urine of infected animals and
contact with infected blood of such animals, including deer meat.
The rash will go away if untreated, but the infection can hide for months and will be
less likely curable if effective antibiotic treatment is withheld or not given long enough
during the early phase. Optimal treatment when the rash is present is 6 weeks. See Dr.
Joseph Burrascano's "Managing Lyme disease" (hyperlinked below) for details on
symptoms and treatment of Lyme disease.
Chronic Lyme disease affects some or many body systems and does not necessarily test
positive with currently available lab tests. Victims may require months to years of
antibiotic treatment, depending on response and effectiveness. Recent (1997) studies by
Dr. Steven Phillips of Ridgefield CT and his associate have indicated that persistent
symptoms are not "residual" but in fact due to presence of living borrelia
bacteria after weeks or months of antibiotic treatment. See online resource "Managing Lyme Disease"
for a comprehensive list of possible symptoms.
It is unfortunate that many doctors minimize the strength, prevalence and impact of
this tiny microbe on individuals, families and communities. Chronic Lyme is often
misdiagnosed or treated inadequately due to incompetence or lack of expected clinical
symptoms or slow response or temporary worsening with appropriate treatment.
If you suspect you or a loved one has active Lyme infection and is not being treated
appropriately for it, don't hesitate to contact the appropriate resources sited below for
further information and referrals. Chronic, persistent Lyme can't necessarily be cured at
present, but it can be controlled. It is not unusual for one to attain 90% recovery with
antibiotics currently available. There has also been success reported with experimental
hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments which is still under study at Texas A&M and
elsewhere less formally.
Timely and proper removal of the tick is important. About 5% of nymphal ticks are said
to be infected. The only studies available to date indicate that if an infected nymphal
tick is properly removed within 24 hours of the bite, infection is unlikely. After that,
the likelihood increases to 100% chance if it's been imbedded 48 hours. Some individuals
believe based on their experience, that only a few hours are necessary to become infected.
An adult female tick has a 20% chance of carrying the infection. These ticks are larger
and easier to spot. Some authorities advise that the infection from an embedded adult tick
can take as little as 4 hours.
Despite what you may have heard, it is very unwise and risky to apply any chemical or
heat to a tick to get it to "back out." This can cause the tick to regurgitate
infectious bacteria into your bloodstream. It is best to avoid unnecessary movement of the
tick and use a fine pair of tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible,
and make a quick tug to remove it. Wash the site and put an antibiotic ointment on the
site. Record the site and the location, and save the tick as described below. If any part
of the tick remains embedded, you can either continue to treat it with antibiotic ointment
or call your physician for further advice.
Your best defense against Lyme disease is early detection by testing the tick that bit
you!
You can call your local or state health department and ask about getting the tick
tested. Get it tested as soon as possible, especially if the time it was embedded is
unknown, and any engorgement is apparent or the tick was improperly removed or manipulated
excessively.
Preparing a tick for Testing |
| The tick should be placed in a plastic
bag with a blade of grass or other source of moisture (not to saturate it, though.) It
should not be killed if it is still living. |
If your state does not test ticks, you can send it to UCONN:
UCONN Veterinary Diagnostic Testing Laboratories
61 N. Eagleville Rd, U-203
Storrs , CT 06269-3203
Tel 860-486-0808 Fax 860-486-2737
They do charge $20 for a tick ID, darkfield exam and Bb Fluorescent antibody test, if
you want them to culture it's an additional $15. They also do animals serology test
(ELISA, IFA & Western Blots).
| ***If you live in the state of Connecticut, your town's public health department is
obligated to send your ticks for testing to the Agricultural Research Station in New Haven
at no cost to you and only the cost of postage to the town.
Here is a link for more information:
http://www.caes.state.ct.us/Tickoffice/ticksubmit.htm (Tel: (203)
974-8441). If your town does not
cooperate with you, you can send the ticks there yourself with a letter of explanation.
This service is for Connecticut residents only!!! Since in recent years, there has been a
threat to cut this service, it'd be a good idea to write a note of thanks to Governor
Rowland too! |
There are many different symptoms and courses the Lyme infection can take. Lyme disease
can mimic many syndromes and illnesses, including multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia,
Alzheimer's disease, depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, rheumatoid
arthritis, Lupus and more.
See Managing
Lyme Disease online for an extensive list of them.
What I and my family have experienced is only a small representation of what symptoms
can occur and one's response to various treatments. Links at the top of the page will
guide you to these personal stories.
Other
tick-spread Illnesses |
| You and your doctor should be aware of the possibility of
co-infection with other tick-borne illnesses such as ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, relapsing
fever and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. Although less common, caution and evaluation for
them is recommended, as some of these illnesses can be fatal if untreated. |
To prevent tick-borne infections, check daily for loose ticks on yourself, children and
pets. On humans, pay particular attention to the head/neck area, armpits, waistline and
groin areas, and even the toes.
Avoid areas that ticks are likely to be waiting for a host-- poorly manicured lawns,
low bushes and plants, wooded paths. Consider use of a "safe" lawn spray around
borders of your yard once a year. Wear light colored clothing and tuck pant legs into your
socks so that ticks may be easily spotted before they have a chance to get under your
clothes. Also consider using a spray on your clothing containing DEET or permetrim or
similar chemical agent. Follow the directions carefully and do not overuse. Remove from
skin by washing once you are indoors. Treated clothing may be effective against ticks for
days, so you may want to set aside some treated work clothes just for gardening, etc.
Check out this webpage: Lyme Disease Foundation .
If you would like more information on Lyme disease and other tick born infections,
research, a support group near you, and to find out how to get a referral for a competent,
Lyme-familiar doctor, e-mail LDF: lymefnd[at]aol.com ,
call 860-525-2000, Fax 860-525-8425, or write
Lyme Disease Foundation
One Financial Plaza
Hartford CT 06103.
Their hotline (recorded message) can be reached at 1-800-886-LYME.
The Fine Print: "The mission of The
Fine Print is to provide the latest information on Lyme disease along with periodic
updates on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome and fibromylagia. All information
is available free of charge to researchers, medical personnel, media, students and general
public." This site features articles from doctors, audio files and personal accounts
of Lyme disease.
A very comprehensive site for both medical and lay people: The Lyme Disease Information Resource.
Lyme Disease Network: a great site
for current info, abstracts, support groups, more. Also very comprehensive.
Lyme Alliance of South Central Michigan:
an online journal and other Lyme info/support.
My Favorite Webpage on Lyme/Borreliosis; very reliable, highly
regarded:
Managing Lyme Disease, Dr. Joseph
Burrascano's Guidelines. Excellent, concise description of diagnosis, symptoms, treatment,
prevention, etc., used by many doctors and patients.
Lyme Disease Information Resource. An excellent
site for both professional and lay information, links and support regarding Lyme disease
and other tick-borne illnesses.
The Lyme Disease Network Online. Another very
informative, broad-focused website including medical research articles, support group
information and even legal information. (This is the homesite of Dr. Burrascano's document
cited above).
Lyme Flash Online
Support, a popular moderated online support forum.
Not recommended:
news:sci.med.diseases.lyme Please click here to
see why...
"Lyme Disease Relief experienced
...without antibiotics!" This homepage has links to various aspects of Lyme
disease and candida, including: Candida
Diagnostics. A great self-evaluation questionnaire and other info is found here.
There's also a helpful search feature and lots of articles to explore.
Lyme disease newsgroup-- a great place to
browse and ask any question related to Lyme or other tick-borne illnesses. Participants
find emotional support, announce meetings, post abstracts, articles, related websites,
etc.
Various Log Cabin articles about Lyme and tick-borne illnesses (including personal
accounts):
1 Log Cabin
2 Log Cabin
3 Log Cabin
3 Log Cabin
Connect-Time's Lyme article
and various links.
Veterinary Web Site: Engelberg - Kristy
Animal Hospital (Fairfield, CT); includes information on how to control ticks and
fleas.
For info on experimental Hyperbaric Chamber for Treatment of Lyme Disease, click here HBOT TEXT.
For info on the Hyperbaric Chamber Links, click here HBOT LINKS.
LYME DISEASE 1991 (Called the Lyme Bible by some!)
Patient/Physician Perspectives from the U.S. & Canada
editor: Lora Mermin
Additional Sites Recommended by Art Doherty (including his):
Borreliosis Info
