There is the ever increasing thought that Lyme can be transmitted sexually. This is horrible in and of itself, but the way this is being disseminated via articles on-line (perhaps print?) is that it IS an STD!
This is hugely worrisome on several levels. After fighting all these years to be 'legitimized' in the medical, media and public we will now be stigmatized and categorized as having STDs...which nobody seems to have much sympathy or care for, because it assumes you are responsible for your illness due to your own 'risky behavior'.
Lyme patients will have to go back silent and unheard. How do we combat this?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Indeed, I've had those same reactions as you state. The media will not educate themselves on the real issues here & do real journalism -- so they grab on one hot button technique that will produce fear (so that when the new vaccine comes along, everyone will line up for it), and maybe intentionally shame those whose voices have been squashed already.
I wonder if the CDC / IDSA might have a hand in this approach. I sure wish media would attend ILADS conferences and see the important detail they have been ignoring here.
And, as for the range of STD, it's so far beyond what anyone realizes. So much can be passed along but that does not make the common cold an STD, although it can sure be passed with intimate contact. So many other considerations here.
With the STD angle, though, you'd think they'd then see the vital importance of gestational lyme / TBD and helping to inform people about that.
I know I'm not writing this as I wish I could. Just can't grasp the words to make this work. Still . ..
The media could help in a professional research mode - for themselves first (not just voices for the IDSA / CDC) and then take - gasp !
- that old formula of reporting the truth / an informational approach (like journalists should do: research & report / inform).
And, drop the old snickering locker room mentality with STD headlines. Rather, understand and share such information as just being part of any good health awareness in general - full body health - explaining that it's not quite like we might think.
I hope that sentence makes sense. I can follow it but not sure how. I wish I had a brain that could explain.