Lyme disease: attention to "alternative" clinics, warns Public Health



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The disease, in its early stage, is recognized by all physicians. From 3 to 30 days after being bitten by a carrier tick of Borrelia burgdorferi the infected person may develop a characteristic erythema in the form of a target, fever, chills and headache. If left untreated, the disease can cause joint, cardiac and neurological damage.

"At this point in the blood test, we will be able to find evidence" Dr. Melissa Généreux, Director of Public Health in the Eastern Townships,

However, it is the diagnosis of a chronic form of the disease that is not unanimous in society. On the Health Canada webpage, it says that a person who has been treated may suffer from "Lyme Disease Syndrome", which includes problems with sleep, fatigue and vague pains. Dr. Généreux recognizes that a certain percentage of people with a clear diagnosis may have diffuse symptoms as a result of treatment, but like many of her colleagues, is uncomfortable talking about cases "chronic.

"This is a term we will give to people who have an absence of infection, who do not show signs of infection from a past infection, nor in the present. It is very difficult to talk about chronic infection in the absence of symptoms.

Dr. Mélissa Généreux, Director of Public Health in Estrie Photo: Radio-Canada

Finding a Solution

Faced with the absence of solutions proposed by the Quebec system, some people are turning to "alternative" clinics In the United States.

"We want to find a reason and when we have gone around different specialists and we do not find it, it becomes tempting to be told that it may be an infection, there may be a cure, "admits Dr. Généreux.

She recalls, however, that it is only clinics outside the regular system that offer alternatives, since American hospitals follow the same diagnostic lines and therapeutic in Canada. These clinics are based on different criteria, uncommitted diagnostic tests and sometimes even a simple discussion with the patient to make a diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease.

"What is even more dangerous is that by Afterwards, antibiotics, sometimes intravenously, are often recommended for several weeks, several months. Meanwhile, the person is not looking for the true diagnosis of his symptoms, which could be something else. In addition, taking intravenous antibiotics for a long time can be very dangerous, "says Dr. Généreux.

There are cases of death that have been reported in the United States in patients who have received this treatment because of a false diagnosis of Lyme disease. Antibiotics are not candies

Dr. Mélissa Généreux, Director of Public Health of Estrie

According to Dr. Généreux, antimicrobial resistance (antibiotic resistance) will become a serious problem and a serious problem. great challenge for the health system in the coming years. She recalls that antibiotics should only be taken when recommended

Trusting the Quebec System

Dr. Généreux says that Quebec's health care system is reliable and people can trust it. [19659002] She admits, however, that medicine can not provide an answer to all problems

"It is not the fault of medicine, doctors or Lyme disease. There are simply medical cases that are complex, unfortunately. "

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