Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.

Lyme disease takes its name from the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where the illness was first described in 1975. In 2004, the incidence in Massachusetts averaged 87 per 100,000 population. The highest incidence in the state, 525/100,000 according to Dept. of Health statistics, occurred in Nantucket. Reported cases reflect the "tip of the iceberg," or only a fraction of the true cases.

The tick infection rate in Massachusetts is high. If the tick that bites you is infected, it can inject Lyme bacteria into your bloodstream within hours of attachment (less than 6 hours has been reported). If you don't notice the tick, infection will occur in almost 100%. The bacteria invade your brain in less than 24 hours.

Ticks may carry several diseases.

Lyme disease is under-recognized, under-diagnosed, under-treated, and under-reported. Many people do not remember being bitten by the poppy-seed-sized tick. Doctors often prefer more familiar diagnoses like chronic fatigue, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, or mental illness - all Lyme disease mimics. Too strict interpretation of insensitive tests leaves many people in a diagnostic limbo, getting sicker and without proper treatment. Most cases are not reported, leading to artificially low numbers, less recognition of the true costs of the disease and less funding for research.

Please use this group to inform yourself and help others.

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. You should obtain the medical advice of your personal physician before pursuing any treatment mentioned here.

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