Additional Resources

Education, Prevention, Research & Advocacy

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Additional Resources

Additional Resources

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Additional Resources

Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and conditions is often difficult due to the variable presentation. As these risks continue to grow, Coloradans are in need of medical care providers experienced in recognition, diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases and conditions.

We have provided some additional resources to help you navigate the often unrecognized and complex illnesses that can be acquired through the bite of a tick regardless of where you may live, work, play or travel.

Federal Resources

The following reports highlight the diseases, the risks, and the need for increased research; and better diagnostic tools, treatment and education:

Diagnosis and Treatment Recommendations

Controversy surrounds the diagnostics, testing and treatment for Lyme disease making decision making between physicians and patients often contentious. Ultimately, medical decisions need to be a shared decision making process made by both fully informed physicians and patients. There are currently two standards of care for Lyme disease that both patients and physicians should be aware of:

For most tick-borne diseases and conditions, successful outcome depends on early diagnosis and adequate treatment. Some diseases or conditions can become chronic, debilitating or even fatal.

The following resources are valuable tools for primary care physicians, emergency room doctors, nurses and specialists in learning how to recognize disease; and to evaluate and properly treat their patients:

Tick-Borne Disease Reporting

Currently, CDHPE requires only 7 tick-borne diseases as reportable. To report a case of tick-borne disease in Colorado, visit Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment here, or contact your County Public Health Department.

2021 CDC New data dashboard: syndromic surveillance of emergency department visits for tick bites by time, region, and age/sex.

Continuing Medical Education

Treatment Research

Breakthroughs in treatment research. Lyme disease continues to be the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the United States and one of the most difficult to treat for a growing number of patients. Researchers across the country are focusing on new treatments for effective eradication of the demonstrated persistent Lyme bacteria.

Other Research

The McMaster Midwifery Research Centre is conducting a research project on the perinatal transmission of Lyme disease. This research is being done in order to gather information about Lyme disease in pregnancy and the research priorities of people who have experienced Lyme disease in pregnancy. This project will lay the groundwork for further research on perinatal transmission of Lyme disease. They are seeking women currently or previously pregnant to participate regardless of pregnancy outcome. Link to survey here.

Patients

Being informed and educated about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and conditions is the best way of advocating for the health and well being of yourself and your family. Because the risk of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are not widely accepted nor discussed within Colorado, reliable information is often difficult to locate. We have provided some additional resources to help you navigate the often unrecognized and complex illnesses that can be acquired through the bite of a tick regardless of where you may live, work, travel or play.

  • Mary Beth Pfeiffer reports on Torrey et al. vs. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) et al., a lawsuit filed in 2017 on behalf of Lyme disease patients who say they have been denied care and harmed under existing insurance and medical protocols. www.thefirstepidemic.com/lyme-lawsuit-1

Other Organizations

The Lyme Disease Association, Inc.
We are and affiliate and partner with LDA, National leaders in Lyme research, education, prevention and patient support. The organization provides information and resources for patients, physicians and educators including the LymeAid4Kids fund to financially assist parents in need to get their children diagnosis and care.


Lymedisease.Org
National leaders in Lyme providing advocacy, education and research. They produce The Lyme Times digital publication, an excellent resource for patients, parents, physicians, and educators. They also manage the largest patient powered research database, MyLymeData.


The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS)
ILADS provides evidence based treatment guidelines. They offer a Physician Training Program and a referral program for patients seeking a medical care provider experienced with Lyme and other tick-borne illness. Their goal is to foster excellence in care for Lyme and other tick-borne disease patients, addressing the challenges in effectively diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases.


Neuroimmune Foundation
A non-profit organization dedicated to dramatically accelerating physician education of neuroimmune and inflammatory brain conditions; significantly improving outcomes for individuals impacted by these disorders; providing meaningful support to families during their darkest days; and catalyzing research at an unprecedented pace.