Tick-borne “Heartland virus” can cause widespread infection
LiveScience.com, October 27, 2016:
by Sara G. Miller
The death of a 68-year-old Tennessee man in 2015 sheds light on a rare tick-borne pathogen known as the Heartland virus, according to a new report of the man’s case.
When doctors analyzed tissue samples from the man’s body after his death, they found signs of the virus in nearly every tissue in his body, according to the report.
However, the virus wasn’t described in the medical literature until 2012. Since then, there have been very few cases of the virus, and only two deaths have been reported, according to the report, presented here today (Oct. 27) at IDWeek 2016, a meeting of several organizations focused on infectious diseases. READ MORE.
I am struggling to get diagnosed. I am confident I have Lyme Disease and am switching Cardiologists because he doesn’t agree because a blood test came back negative. I started camping two years ago. This year my partner (50 yo very healthy male) was diagnosed suddenly with arthritis in both his knees. I, only two months later, had sudden onset of heart palpatations. I am wearing a 30 day heart monitor because the 24 hour monitor registered abnormal runs. My stress test came back above average, no blockages. No history of high blood pressure (but now it becomes suddenly very high) and great cholesterol numbers for over 10 years! I am exhausted frequently, have joint pain and a stiff neck. I don’t understand why they don’t do further testing for Lyme. It seems the most obvious when you look at the entire package. Please help!
Recommend you be evaluated for tick-borne diseases by an ILADS-affiliated doctor. (www.ilads.org)
Other information resources:
https://www.lymedisease.org/quick-lyme-intro/
Alexandra (and anyone else with possible tick bites): If you haven’t done so already, run…don’t walk to the nearest ILADS affiliated doctor like dleland said. They’re not cheap, but your career and maybe your life, and even that of your family members may depend on it. I lost my career due to incorrect diagnoses for years, and was totally disabled. After getting to an ILADS physician I got a correct diagnoses, and now, after a long course of antibiotics, I am free of tick-borne diseases. I didn’t know I had tick bites…just had bites after being in the mountains. Never saw a tick!