Some contend that it is sexually transmitted, in my opinion that has yet to be proved there are too many variables that have not been accounted for in the studies I have seen, But I am sure in response to this others will refute this. So I say why risk it?

I will not donate blood, nor am I an organ donor for fear of transmitting it this way. But I don't know of any studies that PROVE that it can be spread this way but let's get serious I have an infectous disease caused by a bacterium that is causing a persistant infection, do you think I should donate blood or organs?

Here is my take on what I think about people in family groups all having lyme. Lyme is spread by a very tiny tic, this tic has legs of its own and can walk from place to place and person to person. If one person in a family unit is/was in a place where tics are what are the odds that only one tic got on them?? So then these tics hitch rides home and stay on furniture and in cars and such till they find the next person...

Then everyone in the family has lyme and only Dad or Mom was in a place where tics were.

Just my thoughts on the thing, no science to back it up, just a possible sceniero that seems to be ignored or overlooked by some.

Bottom line if you know someone with lyme you are in no danger of getting it from them unless they are a tic, and if that is the case you should choose your friends more wisely

Sent
Sent
 

I have no reason to think Lyme is not more contagious then they let on. BB is a close cousin to Syphilis. Syphilis is very contagious in certain stages, some say even by skin contact.

The two mice/rats in a cage is flawed because there is no way to stop them from eating eachothers feces and/or occasionally bitting eachother and thereby sharing blood.

Things are not always as simple as they seem at first. There are always variables that have to be considered.

Are you or your family at risk being around someone with lyme? no. Are you putting someone at risk by being around them? no

So I guess the real question is just why are you asking and what are you worring about?

Sent
 

Until such a time that proper research has been done, I plan to take preventative measures. All I know is that my entire family is infected and I have no reasonable explanation how this happened.

I also see a large group of kids at my son's school that are either dealing with Lyme or another bacterial infection. They are part of an athletic team which makes me very suspicious.
 

I agree more studies need to be done, but the thought of airborne contamimation is a bit farfetched at this time.

Again I need to know WHY you are asking. Are you worried about catching it or spreading it? And that through casual contact or through sexual contact?

Right now the jury is still out on the sexual contact but it is not looking good. But I am not an advocate of pre-marital sex anyhow, but that is another story.

Try to avoid blood and bodily fluids of the infected if you are worried about getting infected but that goes for anything and is just plain common sence.

Sent

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You're allowed to be a victim only once, after that you're a volunteer. Naomi Judd
 

I would agree that would probably be the cause. But without having a good handle as to the infected tick population we still dont have the answers. I dont even have explanations as to how our entire family became infected. The health department is going to report to the parents this week. From what I hear they have labeled it mass hysteria.

It is interesting that our family was never contacted for the study, even though my son is CDC positive. The school was aware of our situation. That seems to say to me that the health department did not even want to go down the Lyme path.

All I know is that we have large increases in stomach problems, neurological disorders, ADD/ADHD, psychological issues, and a host of other auto-immune problems at the school. They have only been investigating the ones that have neurological symptoms. Who knows, we might be heading down the same path as they did in Lyme, CT.

I hope it is not an outbreak, but if it is, it could have a major impact on the Lyme community in Los Angeles. Until I know for certain, I am taking every percaution I can just in case it is contagious.

There is also always the possibility of mutation to more infectious variants that are spreadable by mosquitos or, I dare not guess.

It is human nature to want to assign blame when tragedy hits and contagian is a way that we can do just that with out even realising that we are doing it. "my wife gave it to me" "My girlfriend gave it to me" or guilt based "I gave it to my kids/spouse, it's all my fault" When in reality we need to understand that "it rains on the just and the unjust".

Finding the source would be helpful but assigning blame would not, understand the difference??? Being careful is good, living in fear is not.

So be reasonable, use some sort of tic repelant, and check for ticks daily and remember how small they are. I am sorry that you are already sick and that things are becoming "bad" in your area.

Sent
 

I agree it is unhealthy to try to lay blame on how we got it. We have to move forward from here. The problem we all run into is that the doctors say that you have to be bitten by a tick in an Lyme endemic area to get Lyme.

I think most LLMD's are 95% comfortable saying that it can be past from an infected mother to a fetus. The more ways we can prove how this is passed the more support we will get as a group as a whole. We know Lyme has been found in all the bodily fluids.

I took in a group of stray cats just shortly before my extreme symptoms appeared. I did have symptoms before this and it could be said that I was infected earlier, but I would bet I was infected or re-infected by some of the co-infections from the cats.

I know as a kid I camped in areas of Los Angeles that are known Lyme areas. Maybe I was infected then who knows. I know in the Bay Area they are finding that a great percentage of cats are infected. I lived up there at the time I had the cats.

I guess my point here is that we really dont know. But I agree with you assigning blame or living in fear is not the way to go. I am just concerned for all those that are infected that dont even know. I am sitting watching more and more kids getting ill at my son's school and I am frustrated because I am having a terrible time convincing them to get proper help.

I am close but it has taken 6 months. One mother is just about ready to call Dr. Jones. She wants me at the meeting this week with the Health Department, but I am uncomfortable in going. I dont know if I could hold back, especially if they label this as mass hysteria.

This started 3 years ago, and more and more students are starting to show symptoms. The one student that has had it the longest just had an episode of Bells Palsy 2 weeks ago. She is the one I am most concerned about. While I know it might not be Lyme or the Co-Infections, the lack of identification of the cause makes me more suspicious.
 

So I had a wonderful Mom's day....

Try and be patient, go there if you can and try to keep your cool. Keep your answers short and consice. The less emotional you look the less it will look like "mass hysteria". Do you have a local lyme group to contact? if not post in General and call out for one because someone from there will be able to help you better than I can from FL.

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I had Lyme before I met hubby who had spent all his life in a big city, behind books or computers, in cinemas or exhibitions. No big chance to get Lyme. And he was healthy.

One year after we met his problems started and now he also has Lyme. Too much of a coincidence.

Gabrielle
 

Karen www.wildernetwork.org