This is a graduate project that I did on the topic of Lyme Disease. I hope that this project will help raise awareness for what I believe to be one of the fastest growing epidemics.

1. A
Hidden
Epidemic
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2. My name is Dawn,
and this is my story.
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3. 3

4. I dated a boy who was in a rock band.
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5. We took a road trip to Minnesota to an outdoor festival –
lots of music, friends and camping. 5

6. I came home sick
with flu-like symptoms
that would not go
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7. Over a 3 month period,
I saw many doctors,
but received NO diagnosis.
They said I would
eventually feel better.
I did (or so I thought).
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“My Everyday Tools” February 10, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

8. My boyfriend proposed,
and we got married.
It was a beautiful day.
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9. Upon college graduation,
I was hired as the director
for a new preschool.
It was my dream job. 9

10. Then I got very very sick.
We saw over 20 doctors
all over the country
including a visit
to one of the top hospitals
in the United States –
still NO answers.
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Michael Hicks, “img_0496" February 10, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

11. 11

12. As life moved on without us,
I spent years researching
my debilitating symptoms.
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13. During my research,
I came across…
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Scott Bauer, “Adult Deer Tick" February 10, 2011 via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution

14. I read about the initial symptoms,
and realized I had most of them
after my trip to Minnesota.
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15. I read about the long-term symptoms,
and realized I had ALL of them.
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16. I discovered that this disease
is often misdiagnosed as….
Multiple Sclerosis
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Peripheral Neuropathy
Anxiety Disorders
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Parkinson’s Disease
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17. I sought out a doctor who specializes
in tick-borne & chronic diseases. 17

18. After seven long years,
I finally had a diagnosis…
Lyme Disease
18

19. Now, it was time to educate myself.
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20. Lyme Disease is caused
by a spiral-shaped bacteria
that is often found in a tick.
Name: Borrelia burgdorferi
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Center for Disease Control, “Borrelia burgdorferi-cropped” PHIL ID#6631, February 10, 2011, Public Domain

21. The two main ticks that carry the bacteria
are deer ticks & western black legged ticks.
21
Center for Disease Control, “TickMaster4_12” February 11, 2011, Public Domain

22. Ticks also carry
many types of bacterium
that cause co-infections.
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Nemodus, “SOS Tick-I ain’t Afraid of No Tick" February 10, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

23. Transmission is through the bite of a tick;
however, some physicians & researchers think
it can be passed sexually & congenitally.
23
Trevor Bair, “Sarah-28 Weeks Pregnant" February 10, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

24. “She started showing signs
her first day of life
…and as her mom,
I knew something was wrong.
As I begged God to take it away
and give it to me instead,
I could have never imagined
the nightmare that was about to unfold…”
-Brandi, Lyme Disease Survivor
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25. Along with flu-like symptoms,
in the initial stages,
a red bull’s eye rash
might appear.
25
Hannah Garrison, “Bulls Eye Lyme Disease Rash”, February 10, 2011 via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution

26. However, less than 50% remember
a tick bite or a bull’s eye rash.
I fall into that category.
Deer ticks can be the size of a poppy seed.
No wonder people miss them! 26
David Van Der Mark, “Teek-Tick" February 10, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

27. The common diagnostic
lab tests are….
ELISA - only 65% accurate
Western Blot - only 70 to
80% accurate
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28. Did you know a diagnostic test
has to be 95% accurate
to be considered successful?
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29. Only labs that specialize
in tick-borne diseases
obtain the best results:
Igenex
Stony Brook

30. Since the tests are NOT reliable,
it is important to seek out a doctor
that specializes in diagnosing
tick-borne diseases.
They are often referred to as…
Lyme Literate Medical Doctors
(LLMD)
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31. What is the
treatment for
Lyme Disease?
Well, that is
controversial.
31

32. Standard IDSA and CDC treatment protocol:
a 14 day course of oral antibiotics
for patients bitten less than 30 days ago.
IDSA = Infectious Disease Society of America
CDC = Center for Disease Control 32
Keith Ramsey, “Pills" February 10, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

33. If bitten more than a month ago,
then a 30 day course
of oral or IV antibiotics
is recommended as treatment.
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34. “Up to 30% of Lyme Disease cases do not get
resolved after following these CDC guidelines.”
Author Bryan Rosner
Sales
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35. I did that protocol, but
I am still very sick…
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36. …and so are they
Great job today! Thank you for being so willing
to learn! People who are hungry to learn are
the ones that are the most successful in life!
Here's "Today's Tip of the Day":
In reported speech go one step back into the
past and change the time signifier as well as
the pronoun.
Example Sentences:
"I'm going to the supermarket. => "He said he
was going to the supermarket."
"She's seeing him tomorrow." => "She said she
was seeing him the next day."
See you in class tomorrow!! :)
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37. …and so is she.
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38. Lyme Disease physicians have realized that long-term
therapy (3 months to 3 years) is necessary for individuals
who have had the disease longer than 30 days.
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39. This conflicts with the IDSA’s recommendations,
so insurance companies often refuse to pay,
causing patients to spend $25K to 150K per year.
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Daniel Borman, “Money, Money, Money" February 10, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

40. How can you protect yourself
and your loved ones?
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41. Avoid tick infested areas
including tall grasses, forests,
logs and piles of leaves. 41
Melanie Holtsman, “24 - Jumping In" February 11, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

42. If you will be in a tick infested area,
dress in light-colored clothing.
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43. Wear long sleeves and long pants.
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44. Tuck pants into socks.
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45. Use DEET on skin and pre-treat
clothing with spray containing…
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46. There is…
Knowledge and prevention is key.
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47. You can make a difference!
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48. References
International Lyme and Associated Diseases: www.ilads.org
California Lyme Disease Association: www.lymedisease.org
Rosner, Bryan (2007). The Top Ten Lyme Disease Treatments: Defeat Lyme
Disease with the Best of Conventional and Alternative Medicine. South
Lake Tahoe, CA: Biomed Publishing Group.
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