9 Lyme Disease Myths and Facts: A Misinformation Refresher for Primary Care

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States--a fact well known to primary care clincians. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 476 000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year.

The CDC now warns that that the areas where Lyme disease is common are expanding, potentially adding to the already large burden of illness.

In the current era of heightened awareness of and campaigns against misinformation, why not take aim at some of the misconceptions your patients may hold about the infection itself, how and where it is contracted, and about testing and treatment.

Assembled here are 9 of the most commonly circulated myths about Lyme and the facts to correct them. Both the fact and the myth could come in handy.