Lyme sexually transmitted After treatment finished?

Personally, I think it's a numbers game. Once infected, it will always be in your body but if you've successfully completed treatment, then the infection count is very low and it's probably rooted in tissue/biofilm mainly and not running around in your bodily fluids. So, transmission rate would be relatively low as long as you're not in a relapse stage.

I say it's a numbers game also because of the likelihood of passing if you're male is less than if you're female, given the results in study presented at the American Federation for Medical Research Western Regional conference, which also appeared in the Journal of Investigative Medicine:

"The researchers found traces of B. burgdorferi in the vaginal secretions of all women with Lyme disease. In contrast, approximately half of the men with the disease tested positive for the bacterium in semen samples. In addition, one of the heterosexual couples with Lyme disease were found to have identical strains of the bacterium in their genital secretions."

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I'd like to hope it's true that you can't infect anyone after treatment but I believe there's still a risk. No one ever says they've gotten rid of all pathogens, just brought the numbers down after treatment.

I'm pretty certain it passed between myself and a partner before confirmation of infection and treatment. Hard to accept that but I'm learning to.

The research shows that 100% of women with Lyme have borellia in vaginal secretions. So... Oral sex between male/female or female/female are both ways to infect a partner. CDC is apparent y afraid to panic people but which is worse? Upsetting people or allowing the epidemic to get even bigger?

What if the woman has a copper IUD? I wonder if that has any activity against it?

B
I understand totally how you feel and I hope the research community gives us answers soon. I've heard there are people (in Canada?) working on it.

In looking at transmission of infection I think we have to consider susceptibility and the health of the immune system and also the sexual habits of people. Some couples do not engage in the riskiest of behaviors regardless of how long they've been together. In fact I think the people in new relationships take the biggest risks.

To daddylonglegs - interesting thought about copper. Maybe it has an impact. IDK

There's only one thing I am sure of. If I'd known then what I do now two lives and all the others impacted by it would have been spared.

~Iheart

I think its a good idea to keep the immune system strong (as mentioned) paying closer attention to Probiotics as a supplement...and incorporating into the diet...the more i research the gut... the more i see how... well

They are saying it is the "forgotten organ" tied to so many things,disease,depression,etc... here is a list of recipes for
those who are motivated... i wanna try the "lemon ginger blast"
i think first...

Theres info about germinating seeds and making some kinda yogurt
that i want to try also...
puradyme.com/lifestyle/recipes/

woops...did the link wrong...glad i check myself...lol

Post Edited (Bellyfull) : 6/21/2015 9:40:30 AM (GMT-6)

Bellyfull
Thank you for the information :)
Making an apple lemon ginger drink now.

My hubby didn't show signs till 8 yrs later, just be careful and use protection. But I guess it can be in our mouths also, so no kissing.

i think lyme and co-infections being sexually transmitted is a fear right now with very little solid evidence that it happens. until we see more empirical research from the community i'm not going to take much stock in this assertion. that's just me.

Bellyful, there is a radio lab podcast called gut feeling which talks about probiotics and gut bacteria. Not directly relevant to Lyme but thought I'd mention it. It's something I've become interested in recently, as they say that 70-80 percent of serotonin stays in your gut and probiotics (a specific one)can help it transfer to the brain, thereby decreasing a person's anxiety and depression, etc.

Revive - Although I believe it may be sexually transmitted (probably is)...I don't know if it's transmitted through saliva.
It may be like HIV - not transmitted by kissing.