Lyme Disease Not Likely Cause of Illinois Gunman's Behavior Statement from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Lyme Disease Foundation
In reporting the tragic assassination of Pastor Fred Winter of the First Baptist Church in Maryville, IL, much of the coverage is now focused on the alleged gunman who reportedly suffered from mental illness and Lyme disease.
Without examining this patient, it is difficult to truly understand his diagnosis; however, this very sad case does not illustrate what normally happens to people with Lyme disease. Lyme disease is not known to cause violent behavior. In some rare cases, people may have neurologic problems such as facial paralysis. The vast majority of people with Lyme disease--about 95 percent--can be cured with a short course of antibiotics.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that is mostly found in deer ticks. An estimated 20,000 people a year contract Lyme disease and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70 to 80 percent of patients have a rash pattern, commonly called a ``bullseye.''
Lyme disease/infectious disease experts from IDSA are available to speak with reporters about this topic. If you are a reporter interested in learning more about the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease please contact Steve Baragona at 703.299.0412 or [email protected] or Gina Czark at 312.558.1770 [email protected].
Sandi Lanford, Founder/President The Lanford Foundation - Lifelyme, Inc. Tallahassee, FL www.lifelyme.org Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
sandi, what is the link this came from please for anyone wanting to write feedback comments? thx ...smiling.