4 Scary Truths About Lyme Disease
Let’s delve into four alarming and terrifying facts about Lyme disease.
Lyme Disease is Extremely Debilitating
As the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the United States, Lyme disease, while treatable, can be challenging to diagnose. Its symptoms often resemble those of other illnesses and can fluctuate, making the waiting period for a diagnosis agonizing. Consider the case of a healthy, active 12-year-old girl from Montana who became “feverish, dizzy, and doubled over with stomach pains every time she tried to exert herself.” In 6th grade, she missed a significant amount of school, and by 8th grade, she only managed to attend the first day. Similarly, a lawyer from Virginia initially thought he had a severe case of the flu. Soon, he became nearly immobile due to his worsening condition. It took fifteen months of treatment before he began to feel better. Beyond the physical ailments, many sufferers face an emotional toll, dealing with the frustration of undiagnosed symptoms and the inability to engage in activities they once enjoyed without feeling unwell.
Lyme Disease is Everywhere
Climate change has become a significant concern for many, and it directly impacts the spread of Lyme disease. Warmer weather accelerates the tick’s life cycle, allowing more ticks to reproduce before dying, leading to an increase in tick bites. In 1991, there were 10,000 reported cases of Lyme disease in the U.S.; by 2013, this number had risen to over 27,000. Canada, once considered safe from Lyme disease, now faces similar issues due to warmer temperatures enabling infected ticks to thrive.
Lyme Disease is Just the Start of Tick Diseases
While Lyme disease is already concerning, there are even more dangerous threats from tick bites. The bite of the lone star tick, for instance, doesn’t cause Lyme disease but can trigger an allergy to alpha-gal, a sugar found in meats and many mammal-derived products. This allergy can be so severe that one person had to stop taking her allergy medication due to added alpha-gal. Unlike Lyme disease, there’s currently no treatment for this condition. The lone star tick can also transmit the deadly Heartland virus, which similarly has no known treatment. These are just a few examples; other tick-borne diseases can be even more severe.
Mothers May Be Able to Transmit Lyme Disease to Children
Although research is ongoing, there is evidence suggesting that Borellia, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, can be transmitted in utero. Justine Donnelly’s story is a compelling case: she struggled with poor memory and anxiety throughout her life. Before her birth, her mother was diagnosed with what was thought to be viral meningitis. After decades of ill health, her mother was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, prompting Justine to get tested as well. She tested positive and believes she contracted the disease from her mother. Many doctors have reported similar cases, suggesting that mother-to-child transmission of Lyme disease is possible.
While Lyme disease is undoubtedly frightening, taking common-sense precautions can make a big difference. If you suspect you have symptoms, seek medical advice promptly. No one should suffer from this debilitating disease, and always remember to protect yourself from ticks when spending time outdoors.
