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Posted 6/8/2012 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
I am scared to death to be intimate with my husband that I may pass on my Lyme bugs.  We can use protection, but it's the kissing I am also afraid of.  Is it possible to pass these critters on through salava?  I'm sure it is.  I have been on abx for 16 months. I was wondering if it's safe while in treatment.  If they are in your salava, their not really hiding out and surely the abx would have killed them off.  Can anyone share their thoughts on the subject and if you know if kissing has passed this disease on to any one in your family. We are a huggie kissie family.  I am also afraid to give my children and grandchildren kisses.  Any info on the subject would be greatly appreciated. 
Posted 6/8/2012 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
My previous LLMD said it can be transmitted to our spouse.
Posted 6/8/2012 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Personally I believe lyme and coinfections can be passed both horizontally and vertically. Why wouldnt it/they be? Syphilis, a spirochaete bacteria, is well known to be spread through sexual contact.

It would seem more likely for it to be passed male to female rather than the other was around. It is probably very unlikely to be passed through saliva but I wouldnt rule it out.

Hugh
Posted 6/8/2012 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure in people, but I do work in veterinary medicine. In animals it cannot be transmitted, even through sexual contact. Lyme's is a vector borne disease (meaning that an infected vector, in this case a tick, has to bite you in order to transmit disease). I would check with your doctor, but it seems unlikely based upon my experience with creatures great and small. :)
Posted 6/8/2012 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have been intimate with my partner for over 5 years with no protection and he has had no symptoms of lyme. I think it is different for everyone with this disease...but I also think a lot of these cases where the whole family is infected comes from individual bites. Its such an easy disease to come across in nature so...Who knows...
Posted 6/9/2012 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you eveyone for your replies. I think this is a very important subject. Anyone else want to chime in? This scares me the most, that I might pass it on to my loved ones.
Posted 6/9/2012 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
From everything I've read, I don't think it can be passed that way. I agree 100% with HoldingOutHope, it's vector borne-gotta be transmitted by tick bite. :)
Posted 6/9/2012 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Guys,

Whilst it may be difficult to transmit, I have consultation letters from two different LLMDs written to my GP stating the risk of sexual transmission. Both myself and my wife are infected, her having gotten sick 3 months or so after I became ill. We do not live in an area considered endemic and she has no bite history, unlike me. Whilst there is the possibility we were both infected in the same area the epidemiology of our case is suggestive of my having transmitted it to her.

Historical lyme literature considers Bb infection to be transmitted soley by the bite of a tick, to require attachment for greater than 24hrs and a hard to catch, easy to cure condition. How much of this is true? I am not trying to scare anyone, and understand the risk of transmission between people is probably low, but please do not rule it out - nothing should be taken as given IMO.

Hugh
Posted 6/9/2012 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,
Unfortunately, it has been scientifically proven and there is a lot of evidence of Lyme and other tick-borne infections being passed not only sexually, but from mother to unborn child as well. The active spirochetes in your mouth will most like be hiding in biofilms anyway because of the abx, so no need to worry about passing it through kissing each other on the lips or cheek. If there is/was someone in your family that had a compromised immune system, then I would suggest that you keep a respectable distance. Although there is good news too!

As has been said already, not everyone who is exposed will end up battling the infections - their immune systems are up to the challenge. In my case, my hubby of 13 years has yet to be infected and I've not been in treatment the whole 13 years and we have never used protection.

I also give my hubby, kids, and grandsons lots of kisses (& Hugs!) and no one in my family has yet to come up positive for these infections.....other than me of course!! LOL!
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