Possibilities of Transmission to Consider

Some people are reluctant to accept the diagnosis of Lyme disease because, although symptomatic and test results are positive, they have never seen a tick, much less been bitten by one. This is especially true of people living in cities who have not ventured into tick areas on vacation to camp or hike. Instead they enjoy resorts, cruises and visiting other cities. Their lifestyle has never put them at risk for a tick bite. So how is infection possible?

It has been proven that Borrelia burdorferi (the Lyme disease bacteria) is transmitted by body fluids in studies with mice. More research is being conducted with humans to validate that sexual contact can transmit Lyme disease. It is a logical conclusion considering Syphilis, a similar bacteria, is sexually transmitted. To date, it appears Bb can be transmitted from male to female.

Infants can be infected by ingesting breast milk from an infected female and a fetus can be infected and born with Lyme disease. The effects of the disease on infants are intensified and often fatal.

A widely used source for contacting Lyme is through Blood Banks, even though precautions have been taken since 1990. Although donors are asked if they have Lyme disease, they may have the bacteria and the symptoms have not emerged or intensified to cause concern. People and doctors can use "stress" to explain away many symptoms when they start emerging. So if someone has contacted Lyme bacteria from sexual contact but is symptom free when they donate blood, they will not answer "yes" to the Lyme disease inquiry.

Insects are another possibility. The debate rages on about how long the bacteria will live in an insect after they've bitten an infected person or animal and how much bacteria must be transmitted by a bite to cause the disease. Meanwhile, possible sources are bites from mosquitoes deerflies, horseflies and fleas. And who amongst us has not had a bite from one or more of those insects? Of course not all insects are infected with Bp or other disease causing bacteria like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

The preceding information is not intended to promote paranoia in the general public, but as possible sources of contacting Lyme disease for those who are symptomatic and undiagnosed. If this is the case, please contact the Lyme Disease Foundation for the name of an doctor who is educated about the disease with current diagnosis and treatment training and information. This will make a profound difference compared to spending years and a lot of money to only be misdiagnosed or untreated by a doctors who are still using inaccurate tests and outdated diagnostic and treatment methods.

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