SA Medical Journal April 1996 - Lyme Disease in South Africa

SA Medical Journal Article - (SAMJ) April 1996
"Lyme Disease in South Africa: The low reported incidence of Lyme disease in South Africa is probably due to a lack of awareness and research effort." 
This article was written nearly 16 years ago and NOTHING has changed... !!

So!! you don't think Lyme disease can touch you...

Never say Never...  For the person who thinks they cannot be touched by Lyme disease, please read the above link.  Chances are if you have ever been bitten by a tick, flea or mosquito, your aches and pains, arthritis and stiff neck, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, MS, etc. ,etc. could just be caused by the bite of any of these bugs...

Autism : FACTS you need to know...

Do Tick-Borne Infections Like Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Babesia and Lyme Contribute to Autism, Aspergers and Pervasive Developemental Disorders?

CLICK ABOVE TITLE FOR LINK:

The Lyme-Autism Connection :  by Tami Duncan and Bryan Rosner

Please don't ignore it...  It your child is diagnosed as autistic, if not for yourself, then for your child's sake and future, please get your child tested for Lyme disease by a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD).  This part is very important as any doctor not familiar with Lyme disease can give you a 'false negative'.

"To many parents, the discussion about whether Lyme disease and autism are connected is a moot point. It is really just semantics. The fact is that many children with autism have an active Lyme infection. Debate about whether Lyme causes autism, Lyme contributes to autism, or Lyme comes about after autism does nothing to help the many autistic kids who are testing positive for Lyme disease daily. If kids are infected, then they need to be treated. It is that simple."

"Unfortunately, the Lyme disease diagnosis is often missed in autistic children. Many of these children are diagnosed only after the mother is first diagnosed. The message, then, is clear: if you are the mother of an autistic child, get yourself tested for Lyme disease, and if you have it, the probability that your child also has it is much higher. My story, excerpted below from The Lyme-Autism Connection, co-authored with Bryan Rosner, will help drive this point home."


CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL STORY:


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LIA STANDS FOR  -  LYME INDUCED AUTISM:

"This organization was started because parents with Lyme disease were finding that their children with autism were also testing positive for Lyme disease and experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease and associated co-infections.

The LIA Foundation has become much more than another "autism" organization or another "Lyme disease" organization.  In fact, we fit in neither of these categories very well.  We believe that good basic information is available from other organizations, but we try to take it to the next level, opening our minds to all potential healing methods.  We refer to this as an "Eclectic Healing Approach".  

http://www.lymeinducedautism.com/whatislia.html

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Lyme Disease, Hyperacusis and Tinnitus by Barry Keate

This is a very interesting article / link to find out how to deal with tinnitus.  I myself have suffered with tinnitus 24/7 for more years than I can recall.  Studies showed a high prevalence of B-12 deficiency in patients with chronic tinnitus as well as a correlation between the decline of vitamin B-12 levels and the increasing prevalence of tinnitus in the elderly.For myself I know that my body is not able to absorb Vit B-12 so even supplementing won't help me.  I suppose what I really need to do is  address this mal-absorption first and then work on the Vit B-12 deficiency.  It is also reported that good quality grades of Ginkgo and Zinc have been shown in clinical studies to reduce tinnitus.

It is important to take 2 capsules twice daily for at least 100 days in order to determine your total degree of relief. 

NB:  Ginkgo biloba extract increases circulation and has a mild anticoagulant function. People who are taking prescription anticoagulants, such as Coumadin, or Plavix, or who have a history of bleeding problems such as hemophilia, frequent nosebleeds, hemorrhaging, etc. should consult their physician before using.

What you need to know about using Ozone (O3) to treat Lyme and Co's...

There are differing opinions about the use of ozone to help with your treatment of Lyme disease and it's  co-infections.  I for one have used an ozone spa mat periodically, but at times the energy of having to set it up gets a bit much for my achy body and confused brain...  Hot baths with Epsom salts are said to be great to help the detox process.  I can only last about 10 minutes in the hot water and than I have to get out as I feel too faint to risk staying in the water.  I believe bubbling the ozone through this water can only add to the benefits.  Apart from helping to detox via the skin, we are also breathing in more oxygen, something our 'hateful friends' the spirochetes hate...  They are far happier in a body that is lacking in oxygen...!

Ozone occurs in nature. It is that fresh, clean smell you get after a rain storm, in other words the smell of ozone. Ozone machines create that same ozone so that we can utilize it for our well being.  O3 is one of the most powerful disinfectants to be found and is used in certain parts of the world for food and water safety.

Ozone is used to purifies air, foods and water.  It oxidizes odors, reduces indoor air pollutants and kills bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew and viruses.  It will reduce harmful chemical on foods when they are washed with ozonated water.


Home uses: treat moldy basements, get rid of smoke, pet and cooking odors, protect the family from bacteria and viruses, keep plants healthier, disinfect kitchen containers utensils, and counter tops.

Good enough reason for me to make it part of my daily routine.

Babesia mimics malaria and is on the rise...

Babesiosis, is a potentially deadly tick-borne illness that mimics malaria. It is also a co-infection of Lyme disease and more deadly than Lyme disease can be.

Babesiosis can go undetected in the blood supply.  Currently, there is no test for donated blood to pick up the bacteria, thus putting those who are the sickest at a terrible risk!

The disease is caused by the parasite babesia microti, which invades the body through a tick bite and destroys the body's red blood cells. Through a microscrope the red blood cells can appear to be invaded by a malaria parasite.

Don't believe that you cannot get Lyme or Babesia in South Africa.  I personally know of two people currently living in Australia who have been diagnosed in Australia with BOTH Lyme disease and Babesia from tick bites severla yearsa ago in South Africa.


Live blood analysis has found some of my red blood cells damaged by 'malaria' parasites.  However, since I have never had malaria, I believe that these parasites are infact babesia...

No tests can detect Babesiosis before blood donation

Needing a blood transfusion... ???

The CDC says there is a Tick-borne parasite infecting the U.S. blood supply... !

Now tell me, if this is the case in the US then what chance do we in South Africa have of falling victim to the same thing.  Despite the low reporting on numbers of people with Babesiosis in SA, it is here and in greater numbers than we are made aware of.  

If vets can say that this parasite is commonly found in dogs, then c'mon, it has to be in the human population as well !!

PS:

No tests can detect Babesiosis before blood donation- 

Make Ya Think ?? heh !!

Joy Burge giving testimony in PA

This was an incredible account of what one Lyme patient had to go through to get a Lyme diagnosis..

This is unacceptable in America or anywhere in the world for that matter.  The rest of the world looks to America in matters like this and if they don't get it right.. Guess What ?  We don't stand a hope in hell of getting the powers that be in SA to acknowledge that Lyme disease and it's MANY co-infections are Alive and Kicking in here in South Africa.....

How many more people are going to be allowed to suffer before they wake up to the truth?
Pretending it does not exist is not going to make Lyme disease go away.  Real people, just like Joy are suffering not only from the disease itself, but from the hardship and shame that the medical establishment puts people Lymethrough getting a diagnosis...

Antibodies linked to long-term Lyme symptoms

Why is it that some people respond better to treatment for Lyme disease than others.  Is it possible they may have had a second infection they were not aware of... ? According to this study, certain patients diagnosed with post-Lyme disease syndrome have antibodies that suggest they carried the infection for an unusually long time. References :  Chandra A. et al. Clin. Immunol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2011.06.005 (2011).

Press release: Babesia shown to be transmitted via transfused blood

Press Release 2011 :  Jordan Hospital  (Click title for link)

"Several cases of babesiosis have been identified at Jordan Hospital in the past, and high rates of the disease have generally been found throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.

Most commonly transmitted by the bite of a deer tick, Babesia has also been shown to be transmitted through transfused blood. Approximately 100 cases of transfusion transmitted babesiosis have been reported, some of which have been fatal."

My Mother received a blood transfusion in November 2001 in Cape Town due to a double by-pass heart operation.   Since then, she has always maintained that she no longer feels herself despite her good recovery from the operation.  Over the years she has developed very similar symptoms to myself.  I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in March 2010 after 30 odd years of mis-diagnosis.  In May 2011 live blood tests revealed what appears to be 'malaria' parasites in my red blood cells.  Now, since I have never had malaria, I am wondering if what I do have is Babesiosis...  !

Lyme cover up rages on and on....

Contrary to what you may have been told, Lyme disease is NOT RARE and you can get it on just about every continent.  They say you can't get it in Antartcia.  In fact, not only is Lyme disease not rare, it is BIGGER THAN AIDS.... This is serious.   Click link above for full story.

"What have you heard about tickborne Lyme for the last 30 years? That it’s rare, scary, acute, treatable… The government warns about its spread and implores people to go to a doctor upon seeing the telltale bulls-eye rash. What happens when they actually do?

Many have researched the controversial beginnings of Lyme disease, but this article focuses on what happens to victims when they contract it and what they can do now.

Under Our Skin is a documentary that lends a voice to the many who in fact suffer from chronic Lyme and are victims of a greater abomination.

Why do conventional doctors tell them it’s in their head? Why won’t they quickly test for it? Treat it? Acknowledge it? Why do medical boards shut down doctors who can treat and cure Lyme?

ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease, MS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's... it could really be Lyme

ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease, MS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer' ...   it could really be Lyme Disease !!

Dr Dietrick Klinghardt states in this video that he has never had an ALS - Lou Gerhig disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's or Alzheimer's patient who has NOT tested positive for Lyme disease (Borrelia bordorferi).

Please watch the link for the video.  You owe it to yourself !

L-Form Bacteria : What you should know !!

(click link above for more detailed info).

Did you know that these bacteria are able to change shape (mutate) at will, basically? They can change shape and size over their lifetime. One of the phases of mutation is called L-Form or cell wall deficient bacteria.  Not much is known about L-Form bacteria despite 100 years of research.  However they are partly responsible for chronic illness.

"Some of the species of L-form bacteria that have been implicated in chronic disease include Bacillus anthracis, Treponema pallidum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori, Rickettsia prowazekii, and Borrelia burgdorgeri. Not all species cause disease."

They are about 0.01 micron and cannot be seen with  normal optical microscope.  Cell wall deficient bacteria often cannot be killed by many of the commonly used antibiotics.

L-Form bacteria cause inflammation.  They are able to activate proteins that increase the activity of Nuclear Factor Kappa B.  This inturn turns on a variety of genes that cause the release of inflammatory cytokines, proteins that generate pain and fatigue. In this way, an inflammatory response is linked with diseases caused by L-form bacteria.

"An inflammatory immune response - is one of the body’s primary means to protect against infection - defines multiple established infectious causes of chronic diseases, including some cancers."

David Relman, MD

Inflammation drives many chronic conditions that are still classified as (noninfectious) autoimmune or immune-mediated.  For example... systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease).  Both play critical roles in the cause, development, and effects of these inflammatory syndromes.

Therefore, inflammation is a clear potential link between infectious agents and chronic diseases.

"People are exposed to L-form bacteria in many places. Because they cannot be killed by pasteurization or chlorination, L-form bacteria can be found in milk, food, and water. They can be transmitted via sperm, intimate contact, and can be passed from mother to child during childbirth. Since they are too small to be filtered during the purification processes used in pharmaceutical manufacturing procedures, they can be transmitted through injectable medicines. They have even been cultured from dry soil."

Babesia may not show symptoms.... by Jenna

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in Fberuary 2010.  I have not been diagnosed with Babesia, I believe because we don't test for this co-infection of Lyme disease in South Africa.  However, recent results of  'life blood tests' have shown 'malaria' parasites in my red blood cells...  As I have never had malaria or been in malaria risk areas, I am left wondering if these 'malaria parasites' are in fact Babesia...  Click the title for more info.

Lyme disease is physically, emotionally and financially draining!

"In 1989, a doctor published an article in the Toronto Star saying if we don't deal with Lyme disease now, it is going to become an epidemic."

I am not a doctor, but today 7th July 2011, I am sticking my neck out and saying if South Africa is not careful and does not Face up to and deal with Lyme disease (also known as Lyme Borreliosis / Neuro Borreliosis) and it's co-infections soon,  it is going to become another epidemic, here in SA, much like HIV/Aids!

Most South African doctors don't believe you can get Lyme disease in South Africa.  In 1996 I told my GP I was 100% sure I had Lyme disease based purely on symptoms.  He told me it was IMPOSSIBLE to get Lyme in South Africa.  I recall telling him well if it wasn't called Lyme here, maybe it had another name. He did not listen to me and I just went from specialist to specialist.  I had another bladder opperation, I was hospitalised on traction for a week, four times in 1999.  Underwent a cervical manipulation under anaesthetic due to the sever neck pain in 2000.   I missed a neck fusion as the neurosurgeon felt I was 'too borderline' !! I was treated for 'epilepsy' for 5 or 6 years..., diagnosed as an asthmatic in June 2009...! 

I battled with my health for 16 years until I my final collapse in November 2009.  Thankfully I found a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD) who diagnosed me with Rickettsia conorii, Q Fever (coxiella burnetti), Mycoplasma pneumonia and you guessed it !!  Borreliosis (Lyme Disease).  I have lived in South Africa since a baby and was bitten by ticks in my own garden in Johannesburg.

               PLEASE!!  WAKE UP SOUTH AFRICA !! 

LYME DISEASE IS HERE - THE TIME BOMB IS TICKING !!!

Babesia : A Lyme co-infection not recognised in humans in SA

For me this is a particularly intersting article.  I have been treated with anti-malarial drugs but never fully understood the reason until I read this article.  Recently whilst doing a deox and having live blood analysis, malaria parasites were seen to be in my red blood cells.  Over a period of 6 weeks, a parasite or two was seen under darkfield microscope on five of these six occasions.  What is even more amazing, this is just in a pin prick of blood...   I wouls love to see a significant sample of my blood under microscope... or would I !!

"Babesiosis is an infection caused by a malaria-like parasite, also called a “piroplasm,” that infects red blood cells. Babesia microti is believed to be the most common piroplasm infecting humans, but scientists have identified over twenty piroplasms carried by ticks."

"Symptoms of babesiosis are similar to those of Lyme disease but it more often starts with a high fever and chills. As the infection progresses, patients may develop fatigue, headache, drenching sweats, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting. Babesiosis is often so mild it is not noticed but can be life-threatening to people with no spleen, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems. Complications include very low blood pressure, liver problems, severe hemolytic anemia (a breakdown of red blood cells), and kidney failure."

Is there a reason that certain people develop Lyme disease...?

Laura Bruno's Blog :  I found this thought provoking article and want to share it.
(Click title for full article)

"I will share some of those things in this article. As I explain in the book and in other articles, Lyme Disease tends to affect people who have big things to offer the world."


"Lyme seems to show up like a roto-rooter, forcing people to dig deep and remove ALL blocks to creativity and healing."

Why is Borrelia so hard to kill ?

This is a very informative video put together by Connie Strasheim.  I finally understand what Biofilms are now. :-)

1989 : Lyme Disease - a new disease in southern Africa...

This article was written in 1989... !  (click link)

I want to know why when in 1996, seven years after this article was written, when I told my GP that I was 100% sure I had Lyme disease, he told me "impossible - you can only get that in the USA."   Urgh...   !!

I could have received treatment way back in 1996 and not be bounced from specialist to specialist with no outcome for another 15 years...  In 2000 I was told I proabaly had the early stages of MS, then in 2005 after another MRI of the brain I was told, Not MS,  could be Lupus, could Sjogren's disease, could be Lou Gerhig disease, could be Epstein Bar....  etc., etc.  I was put on Lamictin for epilepsy... for several years, then when my liver started to play up I was put on Neurontin because it 'may have been' the Lamictan causing terrible enzyme levels.

It is really NOT fair!! and I am not the only one in this boat in South Africa.  In December 2010, the Department of Health in South Africa told me it was impossible for me to have got Lyme disease in South Africa...

"The status of Lyme disease in southern Africa is presently unknown but preliminary evidence indicates that the disease may occur in humans in the Republic of South Africa. The abundance of hosts and tick vectors would favour the establishment of the infection in Africa"

PMID:2699499 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]