What every Lyme disease patient needs to know.If you have Lyme disease, there’s no doubt you have already done your own research and read a lot of information about the disease. However, as scientists and physicians, we are concerned about your health. That’s why we want you to have the most up to date information about Lyme disease, including the controversies surrounding diagnosis and treatment.
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Common Misconceptions
Perhaps because of the amount of media attention Lyme disease has received, a variety of misconceptions have taken hold regarding the nature, symptoms, and treatment of Lyme disease. Some of the most common are listed below:
1.People think that FDA-approved Lyme blood tests are inaccurate. People are confused about the right treatment because “Lyme literate” doctors and Lyme clinics often use alternative tests that are not medically sound and not FDA-approved.
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4.Many patients believe that long-term antibiotic treatment is a cure for lingering symptoms. Not only is this incorrect, it can also be harmful to patients.
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The Facts
Antibiotics are very effective in the initial stage of Lyme disease. The infection is usually resolved over a two to four week course of antibiotics. This is not the case for people who have ongoing symptoms after an initial course of antibiotics. While the mechanisms driving the patient's problems are unclear, the problems do not appear to respond to additional antibiotics. Some may experience short-term relief from antibiotics because these drugs can have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, this is not an indication that antibiotics are curative for so-called advanced or chronic Lyme disease.
Long-term antibiotics are NOT appropriate for treating lingering symptoms.
The medical community and the self-styled Lyme disease specialists agree that some people do suffer from lingering symptoms following initial treatment for Lyme disease. We also agree these symptoms can impact a patient's quality of life, energy level, sleep, work performance and more. What we strongly disagree on is the basis of these symptoms and the manner in which they are treated.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Neurology, and the National Institutes of Health all concur that there is no convincing evidence that the Lyme bacteria is involved in the symptoms associated with what some call chronic Lyme disease. These organizations all strongly advise against long-term antibiotic treatment.
NIH funded studies and European studies comparing patients receiving prolonged courses of antibiotics with patients getting a placebo demonstrated that the patients who were on antibiotics did NO better in the long run. However, there is evidence that long-term use of antibiotics can be dangerous in a variety of ways.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Neurology, and the National Institutes of Health all concur that there is no convincing evidence that the Lyme bacteria is involved in the symptoms associated with what some call chronic Lyme disease. These organizations all strongly advise against long-term antibiotic treatment.
NIH funded studies and European studies comparing patients receiving prolonged courses of antibiotics with patients getting a placebo demonstrated that the patients who were on antibiotics did NO better in the long run. However, there is evidence that long-term use of antibiotics can be dangerous in a variety of ways.
What to Ask Your Doctor.
You should always feel free to ask your doctor anything regarding your health. We encourage patients to ask their doctor what guidelines he or she follows for the treatment of Lyme disease.
Our Lyme disease guidelines are based in sound science and extensive research. We understand how frustrating it can be to live with ongoing symptoms, with no official diagnosis, but we strongly recommend seeking out a second opinion before beginning treatment for ongoing Lyme disease. |
About The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) represents more than 12,000 physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases – illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Some infectious diseases, like influenza, are highly contagious and can be passed from person to person.
Other infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, are not as easy to catch.
IDSA’s purpose is to improve your health and that of your community and the country society at large. We work towards this goal by providing education about infectious diseases and how to prevent them. We promote excellence in patient care, research, and public health. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) represents more than 12,000 physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases – illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Some infectious diseases, like influenza, are highly contagious and can be passed from person to person.
Other infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, are not as easy to catch.
IDSA’s purpose is to improve your health and that of your community and the country society at large. We work towards this goal by providing education about infectious diseases and how to prevent them. We promote excellence in patient care, research, and public health. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].