California Online Lyme Support is a virtual meeting place and source for information and emotional support for people with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases living in California.

Certain areas of California have a high risk of Lyme disease. In 2007 CDPH reported 107 cases, but this represents only a fraction of actual cases. A single lab reported >1,000 positive cases in 2007, but if they don't meet the narrow CDC criteria, they are not counted.

Ticks are so small most people don't realize they have been bitten. If the tick that bites you is infected, it can inject Lyme bacteria into your bloodstream within hours of attachment. If you don't remove the tick, infection will occur in almost 100%. The bacteria invade your brain in less than 24 hours and can hide for decades. As people age and their immune systems become weaker, hidden infections may start to become a problem.

Doctors recognize and diagnose only a fraction of true cases. they often prefer more familiar labels like chronic fatigue, MS, fibromyalgia, or even mental illness - all Lyme disease mimics. Anyone suspecting s/he might have a tick-borne illness should use the search tool on the LDA website (see link below) to find a Lyme specialist.

California has a law protecting doctors who treat chronic persistent Lyme disease, provided certain conditions are met.

CALDA supports the federal bills S 1708 and HR 741 to improve tests used to diagnose Lyme disease; enhance the public health surveillance systems and improve our public education campaign to prevent new cases of Lyme disease; and create a federal task force. Please ask your legislators to support this bill.

DISCLAIMER: All information posted on this site is the opinion of the author(s) alone and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical advice regarding the treatment of any symptoms or disease. Medical advice of your personal physician should be obtained before pursuing any course of treatment.