ILADS, Chronic Lyme Community Cautiously Optimistic after Landmark Hearings
Landmark hearing by the IDSA
Doctors and Patients Hope for Changes in Controversial Treatment Guidelines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Marc Silverstein
(202) 716-9123
Eye on the IDSA
ILADS, Chronic Lyme Community Cautiously Optimistic after Landmark Hearings
Doctors and Patients Hope for Changes in Controversial Treatment Guidelines
(Washington D.C.) – ILADS, Lyme disease patients and advocates around the world are cautiously optimistic following a landmark hearing by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). For the first time in a decade, the panel, meeting in July in Washington, DC, was presented with important scientific evidence that Lyme disease can become chronic and that aggressive treatment may be necessary. The Lyme community anxiously awaits a decision by the IDSA, hopeful that its controversial treatment guidelines will change and allow for recognition, better diagnosis and treatment of chronic Lyme disease. The panel’s report is expected before the end of the year.
“This was the first time that the Infectious Diseases Society of America heard the compelling scientific evidence. We were glad to see the nine panelists ask important questions about how the current guidelines prevent doctors from giving patients the care they need,” says Dr. Daniel Cameron, President of the ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society). Cameron was among 18 doctors, scientists and patients who testified at last month’s hearing.
ILADS, a physician education organization, televised reaction from doctors and patients during a live eight hour Internet broadcast on U-stream. More than 3300 doctors, patients, researchers and advocates from around the world watched the telecast and participated in an international discussion on Twitter.
This much anticipated hearing, along with ILADS response, was covered by Good Morning America, a Philadelphia TV station and every TV station in Washington D.C., where the hearing occurred.
Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the United States today, affecting up to 300,000 Americans each year. Many think the tick-borne illness is easily cured, but what happens when it’s missed initially or improperly treated? Patients argue that Lyme disease becomes chronic—or long term.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) held this hearing in response to an antitrust investigation by Connecticut's Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. In his groundbreaking lawsuit, AG Blumenthal charged that the IDSA guidelines for Lyme disease prevent many seriously ill patients from getting necessary treatment. A 2008 settlement resulted in the IDSA agreeing to create a new panel to review its guidelines. The panel results should be completed before the end of the year.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: ILADS President Dr. Daniel Cameron and Lyme disease patients are available for interviews. For more information contact: Marc Silverstein at (202) 716-9123 or at marc@onthemarcmedia.com
Here is a list of the local and national media coverage.
ABC WJLA- TV (Washington):http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0709/645177_video.html?ref=newsstory
CBS WUSA-TV (Washington) http://www.wusa9.com/rss/local_article.aspx?storyid=89167
Fox 5 (Washington) -- http://www.myfoxdc.com/
Montgomery County Gazette
http://www.gazette.net/stories/07292009/takonew190427_32536.shtml
Fairfax County Times:
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/news/2009/jul/28/residents-grapple-lyme-disease/
Here are links to national coverage.
Newsweek (Before hearing)
Lyme Time in D.C.: Unraveling How to Best Treat the Disease
Good Morning America
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/MindMoodNews/story?id=8205087&page=1
NBC-4 STORY
| Lyme: What's The Right Course? wrote the 2006 guidelines, will present evidence today that treating
ABC in Philadelphia: |
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