Lyme Disease and Syphilis
Lyme Disease and Syphilis
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called a spirochete, closely related to the spirochete that causes syphilis.
Both diseases:
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Are treated with antibiotics.
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Have similar symptoms.
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Have an early stage and a late stage.
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Can cause arthritis, movement disorders, psychiatric illness, heart problems, and blindness.
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Are called “the great imitator” because they imitate many other diseases.
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Cause a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction when treatment begins.
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Can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and children born with the illness.
What is a Herxheimer reaction (herx)?
Dr. Adolph Jarisch and Dr. Karl Herxheimer first discovered this reaction in syphilis patients.
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A Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is...
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Common when Lyme patients begin antibiotics.
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Often called a “Herx.”
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A temporary worsening of symptoms.
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Caused by dying bacteria.
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Can last several days or longer.
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Symptoms can include:
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Severe headache
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Profound fatigue
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Insomnia
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Depression
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Suicidal thoughts
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Increased pain
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Heart problems
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Exacerbation of previous symptoms
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New symptoms
If symptoms are severe or life-threatening, doctors may stop treatment and resume it later.
Doctors may resume treatment with a lower dose and gradually increase it.
Supplements and vitamins can boost the immune system and also cause a Herx.