Download Lyme Disease and Syphilis - Lyme Association of Greater Kansas City

Lyme Disease
Similarities to Syphilis
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria (Bb). Bb
bacteria are spirochetes (spiral shaped), closely related to the spirochetes
that cause syphilis.
Lyme and other borrelia bacteria are carried by lone star ticks, wood
ticks, American dog ticks, and other ticks. Lyme-like diseases have the
same rash, symptoms, and severity as Lyme. They need to be treated as
Lyme, even if Lyme test results are negative.
Like syphilis, Lyme and Lyme-like illnesses can infect many bodily
systems and organs.
Like syphilis, Lyme and Lyme-like illnesses can lead to arthritis, insanity,
movement disorders, and blindness.
Like syphilis, Lyme disease is called "The Great Imitator," because it
mimics many other diseases.
Like syphilis, Lyme and Lyme-like diseases have an early stage and a
late stage. If the early stage is not treated adequately, more severe
symptoms may develop weeks, months, or years later.
Like syphilis, Lyme and Lyme-like diseases cause a Jarisch-Herxheimer
reaction when treatment begins (a temporary worsening of symptoms as the
body reacts to the dying bacteria). Symptoms can include a severe
headache, pain, depression, and insomnia.
Like syphilis, Lyme disease can pass through the placenta to an unborn
child. Bb bacteria have been cultured from placentas. Some children born to
infected mothers have Lyme disease symptoms, test positive for the
disease, and improve with antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic treatment
throughout pregnancy can prevent a baby from being born infected.
Bb bacteria have been found in blood, semen, vaginal fluid, sweat, tears,
joint fluid, breast milk, and other body fluids. There is evidence that Lyme
disease is being sexually transmitted. Research is needed.
Lyme Association of Greater Kansas City
913-438-5963
Lymefight @aol.com
www. Lymefight.info