top of page
Lyme Disease...The Hidden Epidemic

"Lyme disease can masquerade as a host of psychiatric ills, confounding doctors and driving patients to question their very sanity."

  • The CDC reports more than 300,000 new cases of Lyme Disease per year making it the #1 vector borne illness and one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the nation.

​

  • ​The disease is caused by the bite of a tick infected with the spirochetes bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi and may be complicated by other parasites or co-infections, such as Babesiosis, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia. 

​

  • Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are prevalent across the ENTIRE United States.  You can get Lyme Disease in any country, state, city or county...including ALABAMA.

​

  • Children are at the highest risk of contracting Lyme disease (borreliosis) and other tick-borne diseases.

​

  • Research has shown that Lyme Disease and other infections can be spread from mother to baby during pregnancy.

​

  • Studies have found that Lyme and other tick-borne diseases can be transmitted within minutes.  Improper removal of the tick increases the likelihood of infection.

​

  • Not everyone who contracts Lyme Disease will get a rash.  Fewer than 50% of patients will recall a tick bite or a rash.

​

  • There is currently NO reliable test to determine if someone has contracted Lyme disease OR if they have been cured of it. Some studies indicate up to 50% of the patients tested for Lyme disease receive false negative results.

​

  • Lyme disease has been called “The Great Imitator” because it can mimic many other diseases such as MS, ALS, arthritis, seizure and other neurological disorders, autism, ADHD, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.  

​

  • The presence of co-infections further complicates, and often delays the diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne illness.

​

  • Because misdiagnosis is common, many Lyme patients end up with Chronic or Late Stage Lyme disease.  The average patient sees 5 doctors over nearly 2 years before being diagnosed correctly.

​

  • There has never been a study demonstrating that 30 days of antibiotic treatment cures chronic lyme disease.

​

  • Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms, history, labs and examination. Opinions on how to diagnose and treat Lyme disease vary widely among physicians. Do not be afraid to get a second opinion, especially if you are symptomatic and your doctor refuses to treat.

​

  • There are 2 standards of care.  The medical community has not yet agreed upon the best treatment for lyme disease.  The International Lyme & Associated Diseases Society (ILADS.org) recommends individualized treatment based on patient response to treatment.  It is your doctor's responsibility to tell you about the different treatment options so you can make an informed decision.

​

  • Lyme disease can affect virtually any system in the body.  Symptoms can develop days or even months after a tick bite.  Left untreated, or inadequately treated, it may cause long term persistent illness.

​

  • ​Lyme disease may be sexually transmitted.

bottom of page