Lyme Disease Awareness Month ended yesterday but it is important to be aware that there is a year round risk of contracting tick-borne diseases, especially in The South. At our final May Lyme Disease Awareness Month for 2014 we were reminded of the how far how we've come in a little over a year. Even with that progress we were also reminded that our most urgent task is to continue to raise awareness, particularly within the medical community.
Every person affected by tick-borne diseases that we spoke with at the gathering had either been denied treatment, gotten delayed treatment or was still seeking a diagnosis because they were told by a misinformed medical professional that Lyme does not exist in Alabama. Several, if not all, had symptoms (including a bullseye rash) that would've gotten them immediate medical attention/treatment if they lived in one of the "endemic" northeastern states.
Until we get over this hurdle and ALL medical professionals practicing in Alabama and the South will continue to miss obvious cases of tick-borne infections costing patients precious lost time in getting treatment and potentially their lives.
TO END THE CONTINUED UNNECESSARY DESTRUCTION OF LIVES THE CDC MUST REVISE REPORTING AND TREATMENT GUIDELINES NOW!
