Most Vermonters who are accurately diagnosed and treated appropriately for a tickborne disease recover quickly. Unfortunately, some Vermonters treated for Lyme and tickborne diseases have not had full recoveries. Misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate treatment can result in disseminated Lyme disease that can have a significant and potentially long-term impact on a person’s daily functioning, cognitive abilities, mood, and overall health. In addition, other tickborne diseases can affect the health of Vermonters – even if they have never had Lyme disease.

Vermonters should be aware of the controversy around diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease so they can make informed choices about their health care. The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines for the treatment of Lyme disease differ from peer-reviewed ILADS guidelines from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS).

There is disagreement in the medical community about which guidelines provide the correct approach for Lyme disease treatment. The ILADS treatment guidelines are not endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the IDSA. Some health care practitioners believe the IDSA guidelines are not the best way to treat Lyme disease, while others will strictly follow IDSA guidelines. This controversy leaves Vermont patients and physicians navigating conflicting recommendations.

Some Vermonters have found it challenging to find effective treatment for complex Lyme disease and tickborne illnesses. Some physicians believe Lyme disease is always cured by a short dose of antibiotics while others recognize tickborne illnesses can cause ongoing health problems. Some Vermonters have difficulty finding a medical professional knowledgeable about the variety of tickborne illnesses present in Vermont, trained to treat late, disseminated Lyme disease, or skilled in addressing post-treatment illness. Not all Vermonters are receiving a timely or accurate diagnosis despite the fact that early diagnosis is important as it often decreases the incidence of long-term health problems related to a tickborne disease.

There is a reasonable concern among many scientists and physicians about the use of long-term antibiotic treatment and the problem of antibiotic resistance. Some healthcare providers may decide long-term antibiotics are necessary for certain patients. For others, complementary or alternative treatments have worked as well as (or better than) antibiotics. Discuss different treatment options with your healthcare professional.

The following organizations help people find providers who are skilled in treating tickborne illnesses. Their recommendations do not reflect an endorsement by VTLyme.org.
The Global Lyme Alliance
International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS)
LymeDisease.org
LymeBasics.org