Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene's
Position on Sexual Transmission of Lyme Disease
1992- When asked if Lyme disease could be sexually transmitted, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DHMH) infectious disease representative stated "no". When asked why it couldn't be sexually transmitted, the representative said, "because we have never had a documented case".
The CDC & Maryland DHMH have not performed studies on human sexual transmission of Lyme disease, but that fact was never mentioned in the explanation. Their position is basically- No, because I said so- which is misleading at best.
Concerns: The organism that causes Lyme disease is basically a "cousin" to the one that causes syphilis (spirochetal bacteria). Research findings, patient's experiences and clinical evidence do not support the Maryland DHMH's conclusions that Lyme disease can not be sexually transmitted. Therefore, it would be wise to take the same precautions you would normally take to protect yourself and your partner against any other sexually transmitted disease. Until the science proves conclusively the Lyme bacteria can not be sexually transmitted, our advise is better safe than sorry!