How Dangerous Is Lyme Disease?

Every summer, the number of tick bites goes up, and with it, the number of cases of lyme disease. What is this disease, and it really that deadly?

Read More:
Lyme Disease Bacteria Older than the Human Race
“The bacteria that causes Lyme disease has been around for a super-whopping long time, according to evidence pried from ticks trapped in amber some 15 to 20 million years ago.”

Iceman May Hold Earliest Evidence of Lyme Disease
“The 5,300-year-old ice mummy dubbed Ötzi, discovered in the Eastern Alps about 20 years ago, appears to have had the oldest known case of Lyme disease, new genetic analysis has revealed.”

Increasing evidence points to inflammation as source of nervous system manifestations of Lyme disease
“About 15 percent of patients with Lyme disease develop peripheral and central nervous system involvement, often accompanied by debilitating and painful symptoms.”

It's Spring – Time to Prevent Lyme Disease
“Lyme disease is the most commonly occurring vector-borne disease in the United States. An estimated 300,000 infections occur each year, of which only 30,000 are reported to CDC by state health departments.”
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[leakycheese]

I had Lyme disease a couple of years back. Got the bulls eye rash 18 days after being bitten, sought treatment at 20 (month long course of a specific antibiotic). The fever and fatigue started at 21 days and lasted for 4 days. After that I was fine, I was lucky but never ignore a strange rash.

[Thumbsupurbum]

Found a tick on me yesterday. Thanks for making me freak out now DNews

[cameronishee]

I just want to thank you for doing this video. It is so good to see such an honest, thorough analysis. My boyfriend has been struggling with post-Lyme for five years now, and he has been told by so many people, even doctors, that he is just making it up. The true long-term risks of this disease really need to get out into common knowledge.

[ILoveToYoYo]

I have it, currently being treated, it sucks ;(
stay away from ticks
burn them all please.

[MERose-dbwr]

It makes me sad how this girl is talking about Lyme so causally. It ruined my life. I’m probs being sensitive but Lyme stole my childhood and gave me depression.

[anthonyrulz]

Our school lost one of my gym teacher to Lyme Disease last year :(.

[jordanavery]

One of my childhood friends has Lyme disease and is paralyzed from waist down. She also can't consume food by herself and her organs are starting to shut down. It's saddening because she was the most active girl I new. This was very informative, thanks +Dnews.

[nikolaspikolas]

I've gotten lyme disease twice now and it sucks all around. Apparently, the bullseye isn't supposed to itch or hurt, but both of mine have. When I get the medicine, I'm hit hard by it's side effects - nausea and upset stomach. I still take the pills though, because I'd rather be nauseous and occasionally vomit than be stuck with the lasting effects of lyme disease. Check yourself for ticks frequently if you live in a tick-infested area, _even if you don't go outside_. *If you have pets that are outside very often, be sure to check yourself!* All three of my cats take anti-tick medicine, yet still manage to end up with enough ticks for me to end up with lyme disease. Check yourself, people!

[stevensosa]

My girlfriend currently is recovering from Lyme and it’s a kick in the ass for her. We’re still praying for her to have a full recovery

[-Neo_Genesis-]

I have a lime tree in my backyard... Should I be worried!? D:

[doik]

Thank you I found a tic on my neck from yesturday when I went to the hunting grounds and this helped inform me a lot

[NightFuryScream]

Lyme disease sucks, man. I've had it for over three years.

[RachelZamstein]

I have had chronic Lyme Bartonella and Erlichia for at least 24 years 💚

[stacymahaney]

Lyme is transmitted by ticks but primarily carried by infected mice (up to 90% of mice are thought to carry the bacteria that causes Lyme). We have the science to help decrease/eliminate the spread of Lyme by vaccinating these mice, but not everyone is excited about what the permanent ramifications of this might be. Connecticut is working on proposing this vaccination process to the communities. Fortunately, there is also current research working to develop accurate Lyme detection testing, which will hopefully lead to more prompt treatments.

[bugoutbubba]

Though I had the telltale rash after removing a deer tick nearly eight years ago, I was not treated or tested because "Lyme does not occur in Ohio and I had not traveled outside the state". Over the next year I developed night sweats and chronic joint pain. Finally after several more months I did, through a bit of bullying, convince my Dr. to test for Lyme. Nevertheless, I did not prove positive for antibodies and my blood test were not showing evidence that I was suffering from infection or inflammation despite the fact that my right elbow was hot to the touch and had lost nearly sixty percent of its range of motion.
Since then I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, then Polymyalgia Rheumatica, then Polymyositis and Chronic Fatigue. I have been treated like a drug seeker and allowed to suffer incredible pain. I have been forced to endure physical rehabilitation which only aggravated my issues. I have been referred for mental help and just plain laughed at. Sadly throughout I have been required, to no avail, to educate my caretakers of an illness that they have almost no knowledge of, only to be minimized and scoffed at.
Ironically my father was diagnosed recently recently with Lyme disease after his tests prove positive and he had not been out of Ohio in over ten years. Nevertheless, though he is displaying symptoms more relative to Chronic Lyme, he was treated with a 21 day regiment of Doxycycline, tested negative for Lyme afterward and was sent on his "not so merry" way, even though all of his symptoms persist. The ignorance is astounding.
Throughout my infection, I lost a wife, have surrendered a great job and for the most part, everything I ever enjoyed. In all, I have come to one conclusion. If Lyme suffers ever hope to be cured, they should first find a good malpractice attorney, because until there are financial ramifications causing health providers to actually cure Chronic Lyme, there will be no relief.

[Zack-ipdk]

Is it real that Avril Lavigne has that kind of disease?

[generichuman]

I went to school with someone who contacted lyme disease. Sadly it was diagnosed quite late and it affected her greatly. She developed depression, chronic stomach and limb pain. At one point she got so weak that she was in a wheelchair for 3 months. She has been scarred for life by this horrible disease

[bazingo]

I had Lyme in 1999.  WORST pain of my life.  Debilitating joint pain.  I remember being in tears 24/7 from not being able to sleep, drive my car or just move around without extreme pain.  I'm grateful I had the rash and caught it early, and recovered.  It's an awful disease

[adamhand]

Thank you! This video helped my mom, and my sister. My sister might have Lyme disease, But this video helped us think if she has it or not. Thanks again!

[makinganewaccountsoyaaa]

That moment when ur actually feel accomplished for not going outside...