Selects: The Skinny on Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through tick bites, has more than doubled in the United States since 1997, becoming the number one vector-borne disease. The discussion highlights the difficulties in diagnosing Lyme disease due to its shared symptoms with other conditions and the limitations of current testing methods that look for antibodies rather than the bacteria itself. The hosts address the controversy surrounding chronic Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, where patients experience persistent symptoms despite antibiotic treatment, leading to a disconnect between the medical establishment and the Lyme disease community. They also explore the potential role of climate change in the spread of ticks and Lyme disease, as warmer temperatures allow ticks to survive longer and expand their range.