Del-Mar-Va Now
June 28, 2004
Dear Editor,
Your article, Lyme Disease Troubles Shore, by Laura D'Alessandro couldn't be more accurate or timely. Thank you for your concern for our local residents.
Maryland has an exceptionally high percentage of ticks infected with Lyme disease, nearly
double the national average. In a recent CDC study it was determined that over 80
percent of the ticks collected on the eastern shore were found to be infected with Lyme
disease, the highest rate reported by the researchers.
The International Lyme and Associated Disease Society (ILADS) recently published
medical guidelines for diagnosing and treating Lyme disease (2004). Their report
indicates Lyme disease, as your article also states, is a "clinical diagnosis". Blood tests are
not to be used to rule out the infection. ILADS warns, "Diagnosis of Lyme Disease by
two-tier confirmation {current blood testing procedures} fails to detect up to 90 percent
of cases...”
To compound the problems, less than 50 percent of Lyme patients report a tick bite and
less than 50 percent develop a typical rash.
Growing numbers of Lyme patients have been determined to be co-infected with other tick
borne diseases and have become chronically ill by not being properly diagnosed and
treated. Coinfections being found in Maryland patients include Babesiosis, Bartonelliosis
(Cat Scratch Fever and Trench Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Parvo virus,
Tularemia, Mycoplasmas, and Ehrilichiosis, to name a few.
There is a long history of infected patients being misdiagnosed with conditions other than
Lyme and/or coinfections, such as, fibromyalgia, CFS, MS, Lou Gehrigs, arthritis,
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, Lupus, cardiac disorders, ringworm, ADD, ADHD, panic
disorders, Bell’s Palsy, mononucleosis, Epstein Barr virus, depression, autoimmune
diseases, stress-related illness, sleep disorders, thyroid problems, TMJ, anorexia,
connective tissue diseases, hearing disorders, Crohn’s disease, and/or respiratory
problems. If anyone has health related problems and suspects Lyme, they are advised to
contact the Lyme Disease Association, toll free @ 1-888-366-6611.
Sincerely,
Lucy Barnes