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Welcome to Children’s Lyme Disease Network
CLDN was formed out of a concern over the growing number of children becoming infected
with Lyme Disease and the challenges families face in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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CLDN was formed out of a concern over the number of children infected with Lyme Disease
The Children’s Lyme Disease Network (CLDN) was launched in May 2011 with the sole purpose of focusing attention on the impact and prevalence of Lyme Disease and other tick-borne infections in children. The all-volunteer organization was formed out of a concern over the growing number of children becoming infected with Lyme Disease and the challenges families face in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Promote awareness and provide educational outreach
Our mission is to promote awareness and provide educational outreach to parents, caregivers, health care providers, and organizations that interact regularly with children, particularly those in the age group most at-risk of becoming infected.
We hope to serve as a centralized resource site that addresses the specific needs families face who have, or suspect they may have a child with Lyme Disease or another tick-borne infection.
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A Lost Childhood
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Quick Facts
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75,000 new cases
Estimated new cases of children getting Lyme disease each year. According to the CDC: there are 300,000 new Lyme disease cases yearly. Approximately 25% of all cases are children.
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35-50%
The common test you receive at your doctor’s office misses 35% of culture proven Lyme disease. Some studies indicate up to 50% of the patients tested for Lyme disease receive false negative results.
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50%
Fewer than 50% of patients with Lyme disease recall a tick bite.
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5 Doctors
The average patient sees 5 doctors over nearly 2 years before being diagnosed.
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40%
40% of Lyme patients end up with long term health problems.
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We were at my family’s camp. I told my mom that my knee was swollen. It was very swollen but I hadn’t twisted it or fell while playing. There was nothing to explain it. We never thought of Lyme. I got joint pain in my hands, knees and feet, fatigue and brain fogginess. I had to quit my dancing class and started taking medicine. I’m not tired anymore and I’m dancing again.
When I was 15, I was bitten by a tick while hunting. I never saw a rash. Several months after the bite, I started feeling sick. I lost weight, got a lot of sore throats and fevers and my muscles ached. My fingers and shoulder started twitching and my legs hurt so much I almost had to quite the basketball team. I was diagnosed with Lyme and treated for over a year. I’m better now and attend college. I’d like to tell all the doctors in our state that I am a testament to the fact that there is Lyme disease in Texas.