Posted on 07/09/2015 9:04:58 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The United States has an epidemic brewing within our borders, and the problem is much more serious than most people realize.
Lyme disease is spreading fast, and it only takes the bite of a poppy-seed-size tick to contract. Even after treatment, symptoms can be difficult to shake.
Those infected can develop severe, rheumatoid arthritis-like joint and muscle pain. Fatigue and neurological disorders — such as numbness, tingling, weakness, and cognitive impairment — can set in too.
Left untreated, infections can lead to brain inflammation or heart problems. At least a handful of such cases have proven fatal.
A recent study goes beyond human suffering inflicted by Lyme disease to estimate the monetary cost of this "hidden epidemic," as some call it. Researchers sifted through the health insurance claims of 47 million people and discovered a staggering financial burden incurred by tens of thousands treated for Lyme disease — possibly more than $1 billion a year in the US alone.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Bttt
Answer: Permethrin
We have so many deer that run through and graze on our property ...
I do not believe in this whole Lyme’s syndrome/ chronic illness hypothesis. I live in tick country, can’t go outside without getting a dozen. Everyone in my family tests positive for Lyme’s, as I would guess does everyone in the rural parts of the county in which I live. Only one person I know ever had symptoms, which are pretty generic and could be attributed to many other potential causes. Likewise with our dogs, all that have been tested have postive antibodies to Lyme’s, only one ever had symptoms, which could have other causes. If there is something to this, it must be a very small sub-population that has a strong susceptability to this disease process that the majority of us do not share. Doctors and veternarians I have spoken to about this agreed; two of the doctors went so far as to say it is psychosomatic/mental illness— they believe real Lyme’s has always been easily and quickly treatable with a single course of anti-biotics and people who have lingering symptoms are delusional.
The Blacklegged tick is found in wooded areas, especially if deer are present and has to be attached to you for at least 36 hours to spread the disease.I wouldn't want to take my chances with the clock too many times, but it's good to know there might be a window of time and hope if you find a tick on you or a loved one.
That link also has a large picture of what the rash looks like and might be helpful if you suspect an infection.
“Those infected can develop severe, rheumatoid arthritis-like joint and muscle pain. Fatigue and neurological disorders — such as numbness, tingling, weakness, and cognitive impairment — can set in too.”
Some of us wouldnt notice the difference.
had that bulls-eye rash back in ‘78 in Taxachussetts.
I thought it was from the black chick I’d dated and slept with a few mos. earlier.
The rash went away, and so did the girl.
Of course it could be some people are just more susceptible to the complications due to their unique genome. Sorta like Poison ivy hits some harder than others....allergies, hay fever, list goes on and on.
RE: those with persistent Lyme disease symptoms are delusional -
Ignorant belief.
Lyme disease is often associated with a combination of up to six different bacteria, and accurate testing can be elusive.
My very healthy kids (one of which is a very tough athletic military officer) have had bouts with Lyme, and we’re not cured by “a single course of antibiotics”.
Revised treatment protocol now advised up to 90+ days of antibiotics.
Our US Servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan also were reported to have contracted debilitating Lyme like disease from sand fly bites.
Lyme disease is recognized by the international medical community to be a rapidly spreading global health threat.
Symptoms can range from mild, chronic and life threatening.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3879353/
The “delusional” comment was not my personal opinion, but made by two doctors I spoke to about this, as I stated in my post. As I also stated clearly in my post, my personal opinion is that I think there may be something to it- a genetic susceptability to some elements of the disease process among a small sub-population not shared by most of the general population. My point was that in the rural areas of Pennsylvania/Delaware/Maryland where Lyme is truly endemic, it is curious that there are only an extremely small number of the infected who ever exhibit symptoms, and this extends beyond humans to the canine population as well. BTW, what six bacteria would you suggest are causative agents for Lyme? When I studied infectious diseases, Borrelia burgdorferi was believed to be the sole cause.
Appreciate your response and clarification.
For more information on Lyme disease epidemic, please see NIH link from which the following mention of other bacteria which may also be present and complicates Lyme symptoms.
Other than primary Lyme disease bacteria B. burgdorferi...CDC has recognized that Lyme disease may be complicated by infection with other tick-borne agents such as Babesia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Bartonella.
Lyme Disease is very real; you wouldn’t mistake it for anything else. As for the long-term/chronic cases (usually caused by delayed treatment/misdiagnosis), the few cases I’m familiar with don’t involve anything to gain for the patients. I don’t envy them.
I was over it quickly with antibiotics, have occasional aches that may be caused by age or being out of shape, and feel lucky.
My daughter nearly died when she was a child when Lyme got into her brain and spinal cord. Started with a ‘bullseye’ rash and fever, then moved on from there.
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