31 Lyme Facts

31 Lyme Facts

Lyme Fact #1: The most common place to get bitten is in your own yard. Doctor's commonly will say, "Lyme doesn't exist in this area". Don't buy it.

Lyme fact #2: Lyme may be transmitted sexually, through saliva, organ donations, blood transfusions and passed to your children congenitally.

Lyme fact #3: Fleas, mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects can also carry Lyme disease. These insects feed on any animals, deer, mice, birds, etc., pick up bacteria, then feed on you.

Lyme Fact #4: It is not uncommon for an entire household to test positive for Lyme, but unlikely that two people will have identical symptoms.

Lyme Fact #5: Lyme affects people in varying degrees from functional to bedridden.

Lyme Fact #6: Lyme Disease, which is rarely ever talked about or discussed in the media, has become the fastest growing infectious disease in the U.S. (believed to have surpassed AIDS) and the number one vector (insect) borne disease.

Lyme Fact #7: You are far more likely to get Lyme Disease than West Nile Virus, at least 10 times more likely.

Lyme Fact #8: Information about Lyme is usually reduced to "look for a rash, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, fatigue". These can be part of Lyme but not always and there are over 100 other symptoms

Lyme Fact #9: Having a negative Lyme test means nothing. The standard blood test your primary doctor orders has been proven to be an unreliable test

Lyme Fact #10: Children ages 5 – 14 are most likely to get infected.

Lyme Fact #11: Lyme disease has been called the "Great New Imitator", having up to 100 different symptoms

Lyme Fact #12: Ticks carry more than just Lyme bacteria; they also carry co-infections, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis Bartonella and Mycoplasma. Each of these bacteria has their own set of symptoms

Lyme Fact #13: Lyme is a "smart" bacteria. Shortly after entering the blood stream it quickly enters the Central Nervous System. Because of its corkscrew shape, it can "camouflage" itself by entering healthy cells, going unnoticed by the immune system, therefore it is not attacked. It can sense a hostile environment (antibiotics) it can change shape and form "cysts", where it can be "safe" from most antibiotics.

Lyme Fact #14: Lyme disease can be fatal if untreated

Lyme Fact #15: Lyme disease was named in 1977 for the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where a cluster of the disease was observed.

Lyme Fact #16: Fewer than 50% of patients with Lyme disease recall a tick bite.

Lyme Fact #17: Fewer than 50% of patients with Lyme disease recall any rash

Lyme Fact #18: Untreated, or inadequately treated, Lyme may cause long-term, persistent illness that can affect many systems of the body.

Lyme Fact #19: The Lyme disease spirochete can invade the central nervous system within days of a tick bite.

Lyme Fact #20: "...Lyme disease, particularly when it involves the central nervous system, can be an extremely debilitating, bizarre, terrifying and perplexing disease."

Lyme Fact #21: Lyme disease patients can experience an extreme sensitivity to sound -- the volume of the entire world seems on high.

Lyme Fact #22: There is no established cure for chronic Lyme disease.

Lyme Fact #23: When the human brain becomes inflamed, the result is short-term memory problems.

Lyme Fact #24: If Lyme disease is not diagnosed and treated promptly, it progresses to a more severe stage and spreads infection to other parts of the body, such as the nervous system and heart. This can result in potentially life-threatening complications, such as meningitis and cardiac arrhythmias. Symptoms of these complications can include high fever, intense headache, stiff neck, decreased consciousness, coma or abnormal heart rhythms

Lyme Fact #25: Lyme disease affects the joints of the body with chronic arthritis. Symptoms include severe joint swelling and pain.

Lyme Fact #26: Neurological Symptoms include Numbness, Limb pain & weakness, Radiculitis (numbness, tingling, burning), Bell's palsy, Visual disturbances, Poor motor coordination, Encephalopathy, Memory loss, Difficulty with concentration, Change in mood, Changed sleeping habits, Thinking difficulties, Nerve damage

Lyme Fact #27: Lyme can cause Encephalomyelitis –Limb weakness, Motor coordination problems, Muscle weakness

Lyme Fact #28: Lyme can cause Heart abnormalities such as Irregular heartbeat, Dizziness, Shortness of breath

Lyme Fact #29: Other symptoms include: Eye inflammation, Conjunctivitis, Hepatitis, Severe fatigue, Chronic skin disorders, Joint problems, Swelling and joint pain, Tingling and numbness in the hands, feet, and back, a lack of energy that does not get better, trouble focusing thoughts, poor memory, weakness or paralysis in the face muscles.

Lyme Fact #30: Lyme mimics many diseases, such as ALS, MS, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Encephalitis, CFIDS

Lyme Fact #31: Lyme disease is one of the most misunderstood and controversial diseases of our time