Challenge Accepted.
Our Morning Crew at NBC Philadelphia accepted the Lyme Disease Challenge this morning. Instead of sharing just one fact, I am share it all from the Lyme Challenge website. If you missed our sour reaction this morning I have included a short clip in the link with a few photos below.
#TakeaBiteOutofLymeDisease
Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign
The Facts
- Children are at the highest risk of contracting Lyme Disease and are more vulnerable to central nervous system infections.
- Transmission of Lyme Disease and other infections can take place in a matter of minutes, particularly if the tick is not removed properly.
- Lyme Disease has been called “The Great Imitator” and can be mistaken for ALS, MS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism, and other illnesses.
- Research suggests that Lyme Disease and other infections can be spread from mother to baby during pregnancy.
- Studies show that standard laboratory tests recommended by the CDC to diagnose Lyme Disease miss approximately half of actual cases, leading to misdiagnosis and an infection that is more difficult to treat.
- Over 63% of patients treated for Lyme Disease continue to suffer symptoms that can be debilitating.
- The CDC estimates that there are 329,000 new cases of Lyme Disease each year in the United States. Some experts believe the actual number of new cases could be as high as 1-2 million new cases per year in the US alone.
- Lyme Disease has been reported in every state except Hawaii and has been found on every continent except Antarctica.
- Lyme Disease has 6 times more new cases each year than HIV/AIDS, yet it receives less than 1% of the funding.
- Fewer than 50% of patients with Lyme Disease recall a tick bite or any rash.
- There are no tests available to prove that the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease has been eradicated or that the patient is cured after treatment.
- Ticks can carry many different types of bacterial, viral and parasitic infections – some life-threatening – which can further complicate tick-borne disease diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Learn more about the disease and join the challenge at Lyme Disease Challenge’s website.
Thank you so much for posting this as it is completely on target. I have read other articles or blogs from journalists and they don’t entirely get the facts straight, but you hit the nail on the head. Thank you for going above and beyond for the public because raising this kind of awareness is vital to the health and well being of mankind. You do not know how many people I have seen sick and suffering but tell me “it isn’t Lyme, I tested negative”(even after they have heard my story and my son’s story and how testing is completely unreliable). I would love to see a solid piece of journalism related to the difficulties in getting treatment especially for children. It is so hard to find practitioners that treat children and then it is difficult to figure out what is the beat approach for your child as far as treatment goes. It is completely confusing for a parent. Also, in your spare time, doing a segment on the life of a child with Lyme would be very eye opening for the public. There are so many children with Lyme that have totally lost their childhood along with their health. It is difficult for an adult, but these children are having to live and deal with issues that no child should have to-loss of friends, people not believing that they are sick, not being able to attend school, and not knowing what their future may or may not be. Thanks again for your time..