Lyme disease has 3 distinct stages, with other possible phases between these: early localized (or acute), early disseminated (or secondary), and late disseminated, which can progress to chronic Lyme if not properly treated.

The kind we are most familiar with is the first two, but symptoms of later stages of Lyme disease can take months or even years to appear after the initial infection, accumulating with time. This can even include neuropsychiatric symptoms, referred to as tertiary symptoms.

Over 300 straings of Borrelia (Lyme disease) exist worldwide

Lyme disease has been reported on almost every continent, increasing in frequency over time. It is primarily transmitted by ticks, it has very rarely been reported as transmitting from other insects (such as mosquitoes) or by sexual transmission. Most doctors are unsure how to identify and properly treat Lyme, particularly in later more damaging and more insidious stages. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control, U.S.) has not established a definitive way to detect and diagnose Lyme.


Lyme shares roots, and effects, with syphilis--though they are not the same illness

Lyme disease and syphilis are both the same structure of bacteria, however, so they transmit and stick around in similar ways. The bacteria is called a spirochete, shaped like a corkscrew and able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. This allows it to mimic almost every known autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease, earning Lyme the nickname the Great Imitator.


Not kidding with that Great Imitator stuff!

The trickiest phase of Lyme is the chronic phase. 70% of people with chronic Lyme disease incur the same white-matter destruction (hypofusion) in their brains as is commonly seen in HIV, chronic cocaine users, and other viral brain infections (encephalopathies). Chronic Lyme shows an average onset of symptoms of 4 years after initial infection, often preceded by asymptomatic dormant stages.

Due to the unreliable nature of testing, Lyme is often a diagnosis of exclusion by testing for illnesses with more reliable diagnostic procedures to rule them out. All forms of Lyme infection have been shown to cause white matter lesions in the brain, which is most commonly seen in disorders like Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Cerebrovascular Disease. Additionally, many patientes suffer Cerebral Atrophy, a trait usually associated with Alzheimer's, Picks, dementias, Cerebral Palsy, Huntington's Disease, AIDS, MS, and epilepsy. As with these other illnesses, it isn't uncommon for Lyme sufferers to experience speech and seizure disorders.

The situation is not hopeless.

Even for chronic sufferers, remission from the infection is possible. In acute phases, if Lyme is treated properly it can be cured. You can never be too persistent when it comes to your health: insist on at least a month of antibiotics rather than 10-14 days if you are diagnosed with early, acute Lyme disease.

The number one thing, as always, is knowledge as power. If you are aware of the threat, you can recognize signs. If you are having health problems that doctors are having trouble diagnosing, keep Lyme in mind.

Just the same, not everything is Lyme disease either. It's important to be aware, be safe, be healthy, and most of all, not be paranoid. Stress lowers your immune system, after all!



_{What questions does this information lead you to? Comment here, and stay tuned to *ItDoesNotHaveMe for articles addressing your questions throughout May, which is International Lyme Disease Awareness Month.}