DEAR DR. GOTT: Are you aware that Lyme is spread by more than the deer tick? According to Dr. Kenneth Singleton in his book “The Lyme Disease Solution”, Lyme is also spread by various insects including fleas, flies, gnats, mites and mosquitoes (see page 42).
When is the medical profession going to wake up and treat SYMPTOMS like MS, fibromyalgia and RA as a possibility of being Lyme disease? Simply stated, treat the cause, not the symptom.
DEAR READER: I have never known Lyme to be spread by sources other than a tick. It is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and spread by deer ticks that carry the contaminant. Animals that commonly transport these insects include the white-footed field mouse, deer, foxes, moles, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and horses.
The U. S. National Library of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic, the Lyme Disease Foundation, National Institutes of Health and even WebMD all agree with my view.
Lyme was first diagnosed in 1975 following an unusually large number of children being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Lyme, Connecticut, a town in the very state in which I live. An investigation resulted in the discovery of tiny deer ticks infected with a bacterium, later named Borrelia burgdorferi. I find it hard to understand how Lyme can now be spread by flies, gnats and the like. Were that truly the case, Lyme would be epidemic or perhaps even pandemic!
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the covering surrounding nerve cells.
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown but may be related to a viral infection, although none has been identified.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also an autoimmune disease. Infection may be linked to the disorder.
I must admit I was unaware of Dr. Singleton and his book — despite the fact he lectures frequently on the topic of Lyme disease. I’m sorry to say I cannot agree with your views but don’t choose to deprive you of believing anything you read.
Readers who would like information on related subjects can order my Health Report “Fibromyalgia” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order made payable to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039-0433. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print out an order form from my website’s direct link www.AskDrGottMD.com/order_form.pdf. I must warn you, though, that the report does not connect the disorder with Lyme disease.
