| These
links are provided for concerned physicians to begin
informing themselves about current findings on Lyme
Disease, its course and clinical presentation, the role
of laboratory tests in making a diagnosis, and the most
recent information about treatment in both early and
later stages. Several sites also address other tick-borne
diseases, which should also be considered. The Vermont Department of Health
provids links to the Infectious Disease Guidelines for
treatment of Lyme. These guidelines are not the only
treatment guidelines, and we recommend that physicians
also familiarize themselves with the guidelines developed
by ILADS (the International Lyme and Related Diseases
Association), which are based on a more recent and
broader information base. We encourage you to contact
physicians using these guidelines, in order to understand
the importance of these guidelines.
Some links will
take you offsite and contain many pages of information,
with additional links. You may want to bookmark this page
for easy return.
Some
recommended resources for physicians:
Resolution 166
A
Resolution of the New England Governors'
Conference, Inc., Concerning Lyme Disease and
Other Tick-Borne Illnesses, adopted by the
governors of all New England states, including
Dr. Howard Dean, governor of Vermont, and
certified August 26th, 2002,
International Lyme and Related Diseases Association (ILADS)
A
professional medical and research organization.
Site includes research and position papers, and a
link for membership. Highly recommended as a
resource for any medical professional treating
tick-borne diseases. Some info on site is
available to nonassociates.
Evidence-based guidelines for the management of Lyme disease
The
International Lyme and Associated Diseases
Society, Expert Rev. Anti-infect Ther. 2(1),
Suppl. (2004). These guidelines are available in
summary form on the ILADS website, and can be
ordered in reprint directly online for a nominal
fee.
Update on Lyme Disease
An article from Clinician Reviews by Ginger R. Savely, Rn, FNP-C, who specializes in treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. The article is a continuing education course for medical practicioners, and there is a small charge for taking the test.ð There is no charge for reading.ðð This is an excellent introduction to diagnostic and treatment issues for both patients and physicians.ð Suggested reading before reading lengthier and more detailed Burrescano article.
Diagnosic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Diseases
By Joseph J.
Burrascano, M.D.
A prominant
Lyme specialist on the many factors involved in
diagnosing and treating Chronic Lyme Disease and
other tick-borne diseases. Gives an excellent
systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment
options. His protocol is not the only approach,
but is a good representation of the kinds of
integrated treatment required, especially in
later stages of Lyme Disease. Updated in September
2005, the article is also available in pdf format
for offline reading and printing.
Columbia University Center for Lyme Research Studies
The first research facility in the United States
to focus on neuropsychiatric aspects of Lyme
Disease. Founded in 1994. Its director is Dr.
Brian Fallon. Website provides information about
research findings, diagnostic and treatment
considerations, as well as indepth discussion
about neurological symptoms found in patients
with chronic Lyme disease.
The
following site is important for physicians to be aware
of, but please read the comments:
- Center for Disease Control Lyme pages
Though
once useful in context with other sources of
information, the CDC has recently changed the
content of their pages on Lyme disease. The
reasons for this are unknown but appear to be
political. The current information on the site is
outdated and does not reflect the current state
of knowledge about Lyme disease. Because the CDC
information can no longer be considered science
based, we encourage you to consider it carefully
and in context with information from other
sources.
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- Especially
for physicians
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online support and discussion group for
people with Lyme in Vermont and adjacent areas
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Vermont Lyme Network