The transmission of Lyme disease was thought to be solely by the bite from a tick infected with the Borrelia spirochete. However, this is not the sole source of infection. It can be transmitted between sexual partners or by a pregnant woman to her fetus. It can also be transmitted by a mother who unknowingly, has the infection and who is breastfeeding. Recent research is also linking autism in young children with Lyme infection.
The Bb spirochete is able to burrow into tendons, muscle cells, ligaments, and directly into organs. A classic bulls-eye rash is often visible in the early stage of the illness. But this is not always the case.
Later in the chronic illness stage of the disease, it can afflict the heart, the nervous system, all joints and other vital organs of the body.
It is now realized that the disease can mimic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Bell’s Palsy, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, neuritis, psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, chronic fatigue, heart failure, angina, irregular heart rhythms, fibromyalgia, dermatitis, autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma and lupus, eye inflammatory reactions, sudden deafness, SIDS, ADD and hyperactivity, chronic pain and many, many other conditions.
