A small group of doctors—and a large number of patients—say Lyme disease can sometimes manifest as a chronic illness, one that evades conventional medical tests and treatments. The physicians who support this theory flout standard medical guidelines and treat patients with long-term antibiotic therapies that mainstream researchers say are unproven and potentially dangerous. Coco Ballantyne reports on how the controversy over Lyme disease has become increasing polarized.
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The chronic debate over Lyme disease. Nat Med 14, 1135–1139 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1108-1135
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1108-1135
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Experiences of patients identifying with chronic Lyme disease in the healthcare system: a qualitative study
BMC Family Practice (2014)