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Pocono News Section
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease - Friday, May 2, 2008 at 7:40PM EST
Reported by: Eric Scheiner
Friday, May 2, 2008 @ 07:40pm EST
WILKES-BARRE -- In 2006 Pennsylvania had the second highest rate of Lyme disease in the nation and across the U-S numbers are on the increase.
The disease usually presents itself with a bull-eye rash accompanied by various symptoms like fever, headache, malaise and joint pain. It's treated with antibiotics and generally goes away. In some cases longer term treatment is needed but that issue is up to debate.
Recently the Infectious Diseases Society of America settled an antitrust lawsuit with the Attorney General of Connecticut over financial interests held by several of the IDSA panelists, claiming they ignored or minimized alternative medical opinions and evidence regarding chronic Lyme disease.
This has raised serious questions about the recommendations many doctors and health care organizations follow when it comes to Lyme disease. The future of the IDSA recommendations is uncertain.
What remains certain is some the best methods of prevention. Avoiding long grass or deep forests where ticks live, using insect repellent with DEET and wear long-sleeved light colored clothing when outdoors, so ticks stand out and can be picked off.
WYOU Interactive discusses Lyme disease with Dr. Brian Mott and State Epidemiologist William Miller. | | |
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