WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?
Lyme disease (LD) is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It’s basic form is that of a spirochete bacteria, which is in the shape of a corkscrew. Lyme disease is also referred to as Borreliosis, and if it has affected the central nervous system (CNS), it is referred to as Neuroborreliosis.
It is most often transmitted by attachment and feeding of a tick that is infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. However, research has not ruled out the possibility of becoming infected through the bites of mosquitoes, gnats, mites and fleas. In addition, due to the fact that birds are carriers of ticks, it is thought that bird migration is playing a major role in the spread of this debilitating disease. The majority of physicians will inform you that Borreliosis cannot be transmitted sexually, in utero or via breast milk because transmission by these means has not yet been PROVEN. However, one should not discount the possibility of sexual and in utero transmission, because the bacterium has been isolated in male and female body fluids and breast milk. Although we do not have conclusive research to prove that Borreliosis is transmitted sexually, in utero or via breast milk, IT IS COMMON SENSE that the possibility of these modes of transmission do indeed exist!
Along with Lyme disease, a tick can transmit other infections, which are referred to as co-infections. They can include, but are not limited to, Erlichia, Bartonella, Tularemia, Colorado Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other mycoplamas. In addition, a tick can also transmit a malaria-type infection caused by a blood parasite; this parasite is called Babesia. Some patients are afflicted with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria only and others are infected with one or a combination of co-infections. Different species of ticks carry different strains of Borrelia bacteria. These various species of ticks live in different regions of the world. In the United States, therefore, other names have been given to Borrelia-caused infections, such as STARI, Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness. To most patients with Borrelia infections such as Lyme disease and STARI, however, the name is of little significance. It is the struggle to obtain diagnosis and treatment that becomes a patient’s focus and mission.
Borreliosis and co-infections cause a multitude of symptoms. Not all patients who are bitten by ticks break out in the (erythema migrans) (United States) or Atrophic Chronicum Migrans (Europe). These are commonly referred to as the “bull’s-eye rash.” Each patient may experience a different array of symptoms, yet many Lyme patients can relate to each other’s symptoms, such as fatigue, malaise, migratory joint pain, neuropathy, numbness, tingling and cognitive dysfunction. The bacteria can invade the entire body by affecting the musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiac systems. In the late stages, these infections are extremely painful and debilitating. An accurate clinical diagnosis, not based only upon lab tests, but based upon a patient’s history and symptoms is of the utmost importance. This is crucial for diagnosis of acute, or early-stage, Lyme disease, soon after initial infection occurs Left untreated, which is often the case due to physician neglect, the bacteria continues to replicate inside the patient’s body. This results in more and more damage to the CNS, resulting in serious and extreme cognitive and motor dysfunction.
See L.E.A.P. Arizona’s PROBLEMS STATEMENT for more information about the web of issues surrounding the lack of diagnosis and treatment for Lyme disease patients in Arizona and nationwide.