Imagine if doctors in Central Mass denied Lyme disease treatment

For years, a debate has been in the forefront of the Australian medical community.  Do they have ticks that cause Lyme disease?  Are they continuing misdiagnose or refusing to diagnose and treat Lyme disease for those infected in Australia?

Many physicians and those in the medical community in Australia are still acting under the notion that residents cannot contract Lyme disease from domestic species of ticks.  Those, who believe it impossible, believe that there are no domestic instances of Lyme disease – that anyone in Australia with Lyme or “Lyme-like” disease, contracted it from a tick bite received outside of Australia.  If you ask me, these folks have blinders on, and their citizens are suffering for their beliefs.  This story broke to worldwide attention in 2017.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Bool’s health continued to plummet.

Perth resident, Rebecca Bool, suffered a tick bite while vacationing in Kalbarri over the Christmas holiday in 2014.  Even though this tick bite produced an immediate bullseye rash, soreness, and loss of bladder control, the doctors she sought medical attention from, dismissed her symptoms as a simple viral infection, and sent her on her way.  Lyme was not a consideration.

Ms. Bool was so sick and distraught after being dismissed as “not sick” or “mentally ill” that she attempted suicide three months after being bitten by a tick.  I wish that Lyme disease didn’t exist in Central Mass, but I am glad that there are effective treatments and ongoing research for those infected!

In 2018, The Lyme Disease Association of Australia began a pilot Lyme study, much to the relief of patients like Rebecca Bool.

Thousands of undiagnosed Lyme disease sufferers in Australia are breathing a collective sigh of relief now that steps have been put into motion to begin properly diagnosing and treating Lyme.  This effort will save lives, and give those, who have had little hope for their future, a more positive outlook.

Read more: These Lyme symptoms might surprise you!

As we all know mosquito-borne illnesses that exist today, have traveled with imported goods and people, who have traveled to areas of infection.  The same must be true for tick-borne illnesses, like Lyme.  Australia’s livestock is ALL imported.  It would stand to reason that over the last few hundred years, foreign animals have carried in foreign bacteria – or even foreign ticks.

Essential tick control in Central Mass

As Central Mass residents, we must all be mindful of effective tick control for our homes and families.  Even though we have effective Lyme treatments, it’s much better to offer proper tick protection to our families that to treat this horrible disease.  Prevention is key!