posted
There are a lot of spouses who are not infected, and the few that are could easily have gotten bitten by a tick in the same location as their spouse or on a different occasion.
I think if it were transmissible by sex, most spouses would get it after years of living with someone with Lyme, but they don't.
I don't believe there have been any studies in humans, and it would be very difficult in any case because we don't have accurate testing to prove who has Lyme and who doesn't.
-------------------- Don't forget to laugh! And when you're going through hell, keep going!
Bitten 5/25/2009 in Perry County, Indiana. Diagnosed by LLMD 12/2/2009. Posts: 756 | From Inside the tunnel | Registered: Jan 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've had lyme since before I met my husband of 25 years. He does not have Lyme.
My LLMD says no.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
My current LLMD thinks it is contagious. Also, my past LLMD thought it was highly probable. It still doesn't mean everyone will get it through intimate contact (just like some people get the flu and some don't). But it is not outside the realm of possibility.
It is a distant cousin to syphilis......
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
thanks all for the feedback
Posts: 157 | From Colorado | Registered: Aug 2010
| IP: Logged |
troutscout
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3121
posted
Both of my LLMD's and the ND's I know all believe it or suspect sexual transmission
-------------------- Now is the time in your life to find the "tiger" within. Let the claws be bared, and Lyme BEWARE!!! www.iowalymedisease.com [/URL] Posts: 5262 | From North East Iowa | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
gwb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7273
posted
There's plenty of evidence that's just now coming out that says it can be passed on through sexual activity. I know many people (including LLMD's) would like to believe otherwise, but I think the evidence is becoming more and more convincing that it can be spread through sexual intercourse.
If it can be passed to a mothers baby through her breast milk, why would we think it could not be given to our spouses through sexual relations? Of course, I think it's less likely to be passed from woman to man, but it can't be ruled out.
Dr Klinghardt says, "Bb spirochetes go after the immune system. They can likely be transmitted sexually via the urethra. Spirochetes live off of our collagen and connective tissue".
Not what we'd like to believe, but better to be safe than sorry.
Gary
[ 08-15-2010, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: gwb ]
Posts: 1349 | From OK | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Gary, why would a LLMD not want to believe this? It would mean more potential revenue from a business perspective, right? Test every patient's spouse and then try to treat them too. I think the LLMDs who say it's not possible truly believe it.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
'Kete-tracker
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17189
posted
THE Dr. R (NYC) thinks sexual transmission is highly unlikely and says to, "{sigh}... just have fun." (August 2009, Portsmouth NH, post-U.O.S. showing)
Personally, I think it's Possible, but the "avenue" of entry is a lot more hostile than a free injection into an immuno-suppressed bite area, so to speak.
Plus, the 'ketes disembarking the Tick have had a chance to "sense your blood" for a few hours & "make some adjustments" in their outer protein coating (Osp-C layer) to help evade your immune system, hence the lack of significant antibodies to "test" for... atleast for the 1st few weeks.
Then old Lyme spirochete "pieces" start showing up, of predictable lengths... & there's your 18, 23, 30, 31, 34, 37, 39, 83 & 93 kPa (length) anti-body stimulation!! ;-)
Posts: 1233 | From Dover, NH | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
All I know is that I have Lyme. I have three children. One of those children has a history of tick bite in the state we use to live in. The other two don't even know what a tick looks like. All of them have Lyme disease. My youngest having symptoms as a toddler and then developing fibromyalgia at age 3. My husband who I have been married to for 12 years had absolutely no symptoms until a few years ago and no known tick bites. Now he is sick and positive for Lyme. My LLMD absolutely believes that Lyme disease is transmitted sexually, congenitally and through breast milk. Sorry but from my experience I trust what I see.. not what a doctor may or may not have as an opinion.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Went to the doctor yesterday and she said that it is sexually transmitted but only if your partner has a weakened immune system. My spouse of 8 years has never been sick
Posts: 157 | From Colorado | Registered: Aug 2010
| IP: Logged |
My husband was fine until he had 2 sick kids (lyme), a sick wife (lyme) and had to work 5 jobs to keep a roof over our heads and food and meds in our bodies.
I'd like to look at stressors and genetics on sexually transmitted lyme. Are lower income couples more likely to get infected by their partners because of the financial stress?
That would be my very unscientific theory.
Posts: 564 | From Tick Hell | Registered: Oct 2008
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[confused]](graemlins/confused.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic