Product Description

Keep your family safe from tick-borne infections

With millions around the world infected–and millions more at risk–Lyme and other tick-related disorders are today’s fastest-growing infectious diseases. And while there has been much progress in combating these illnesses, we are a long way from eliminating them. Early treatment is crucial–and there’s no better way to get informed and be prepared to deal with these diseases than to read this book.

This comprehensive guide tells you everything you need to know to protect yourself and your family from the pain of Lyme, including vital information about the new Lyme disease vaccines. Written by Lyme disease pioneer Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner–cofounder of the Lyme Disease Foundation and a Lyme sufferer herself–this updated and expanded edition provides the latest on the multiple diseases that can be transmitted in a single tick bite and the symptoms that indicate you’ve been infected. In easy-to-understand language, the author discusses the often controversial issues of diagnosis and treatment of Lyme while reviewing the other tick-borne diseases in North America, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tularemia, the emerging ehrlichioses, and some that are considered potential biowarfare agents. She offers expert advice on:

• Protecting yourself from disease-carrying ticks–and what to do if you find one on your skin
• Obtaining the best medical treatment
• Accessing online information on vaccines, repellents, and the latest research
• Finding self-help and support organizations, state medical complaint boards, products, and related services
• Starting a school or business prevention program

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73094 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780471407935
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
Lyme disease is so difficult to detect that the average sufferer sees five physicians before the disease is properly diagnosed. Thirty-five percent of Lyme disease patients suffer permanent bodily damage, and 17 percent lose their jobs. Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner fared even worse than that: she contracted the disease while pregnant (it was misdiagnosed as arthritis), and passed it on to her unborn child, who died when he was 6. She became an expert on ticks and the diseases they spread, started the Lyme Disease Foundation, and compiled all her knowledge into this book, a handy guide for anyone living in tick-infested areas.

From Library Journal
There's no doubt that, as bugs go, ticks are especially yucky. They have an appetite for human blood and carry diseases that range from irritating to life-threatening. This book is a comprehensive guide to ticks and tick-borne disorders. As the president and founder of the Lyme Disease Foundation and the mother of a child who died of Lyme Disease, Vanderhoof-Forschner has the knowledge to make this book comprehensive and the personal experience to make it compelling. She discusses the status of Lyme disease as a public health threat, the nature and characteristics of ticks; the history of Lyme disease; its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment; and the search for vaccines. She also advises on how to protect yourself from ticks and manage your property to decrease their numbers. The author's writing is conversational and clear even when discussing complex topics, and her appendixes are outstanding. Although some of her suggestions may be excessive?she advocates hourly nude tick checks if you are wearing short sleeves or pants, for instance?this is an excellent book that will be an asset to any health sciences collection.?Stacey Hathaway, Fordham Health Sciences Lib., Wright State Univ., Dayton, Ohio
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher
This is the first book to address not only Lyme but also other tick-related diseases that are a threat to public health. A layperson's guide to the best treatment and prevention of Lyme Disease and other tick-spread diseases. Covers online information and appendixes will cover: self-help groups and other supportive organizations, products, services, state medical complaint boards, drugs, medical glossary, reading list, etc. The author is responsible for founding and leading the Lyme Disease Foundation, the largest and most influential organization dedicated to Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.

Customer Reviews

This is NOT an alarmist's book, but a MUST READ!
My children and I have chronic Lyme disease. I was misdiagnosed for over twelve years and unknowingly passed the disease to my children via pregnancy. Contrary to the reader's statement that this is an "alarmist" book, this book is a MUST READ, especially for anyone suffering with this disease. The reader who stated otherwise should be ashamed to have sounded the alarmist bell him/herself (especially since that reader does NOT have Lyme disease and therefore has no idea of the suffering involved)! Antibiotics are effective only if the disease is caught early, as early as within 48 hours of infection and perhaps as long as up to 6 weeks after infection. Otherwise, the odds dramatically decrease for antibiotics working to rid one of Lyme disease. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms are apparent, it is usually too late for antibiotics to effectively treat the disease. Only approximately 40% of persons with Lyme disease remember a tick bite or develop the "bull's-eye" rash. Therefore, most persons with the disease go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and untreated for an extended time. Once finally diagnosed after I was again bitten and did see a tick bite and rash, my children and I suffered through several months of antibiotic treatment that made us sicker, not better, and not just from spirochete "die off", but because the antibiotics started to attack our systems. Most persons with Lyme disease WILL continue with certain possibly irreversible symptoms, such as Lyme-related arthritis, even after antibiotic treatment. Integrative medicine, which is a combination treatment of homeopathic (alternative, such as certain herbs and nutritional supplements) and allopathic (conventional, such as antibiotics) as well as dietary changes (such as reduction or elimination of meat consumption, as well as eliminating all sugars) appears to be the best approach for sufferers of Lyme disease, especially those with chronic Lyme disease. The fact is that Lyme disease IS scary and IS a huge problem of epidemic proportion that MUST be addressed. Sticking ones head in the sand and hoping it will simply go away or ignoring the cold, hard, at times frightening facts of this disease is irresponsible. The reader who refuses to give this book to his/her friend who has Lyme disease is doing that friend a grave disservice. Those of us with Lyme disease recognize a factual account as opposed to an "alarmist" point of view. I for one appreciate the TRUTH. This book is well researched and honestly written. EVERYONE should read this book, whether they have Lyme disease or not. Often, persons diagnosed with nervous system disorders, such as MS, or autoimmune disorders, such as Lupus, actually have Lyme disease. I reiterate: THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE.

Excellent and readable up-to-date resource on Lyme disease
Information presented in this book is essential for anyone (public or medical professional)who wants to know the latest on Lyme disease. Factual information, presented in an understandable format that never underestimates the reader's intelligence and common sense, is presented by one of the true heroes in the Lyme disease saga. Mrs. Vanderhoof-Forschner's personal experience is the driving force behind this well-executed, fact-filled, medically-sound and resource-filled book. This is a must for anyone serious about this complex disease and a handy reference guide for further information.

Rita L. Stanley, Ph.D.

Yep. This is the book you want.
Fantastic book, and clearly the best that I read during my recovery from LD. Thorough, level-headed, wonderful.