To the majority of us Soulcasters here who are familiar with Hunter on a personal level because of his intimate humanist blogs, we have come to adopt him as our online family member, a personal close friend. The purpose of this blog is to help you understand more about his medical condition.

In was in one of his blogs, I Was Attacked where he intimated to us how he was bitten by ticks which has been responsible for his current debilitating condition as he is now battling for the complete eradication of Lyme Disease with extensive medication.

For those unfamiliar with the Lyme Disease, I’ve done some extensive research and have included the appropriate links underneath to fully understand the extent of this disease and the possibility of treatment, recovery and prognosis.

MEDLINE PLUS Medical Dictionary Definition of Lyme Disease

An acute inflammatory disease that is usually characterized initially by the skin lesion erythema migrans and by fatigue, fever, and chills and if left untreated may later manifest itself in cardiac and neurological disorders, joint pain, and arthritis and that is caused by a spirochete of the genus Borrelia (B. burgdorferi) transmitted by the bite of a tick especially of the genus Ixodes (I. scapularis synonym I. dammini in the eastern and midwestern United States, I. pacificus especially in some parts of the Pacific coastal states of the United States, and I. ricinus in Europe) -- called also Lyme, Lyme borreliosis

CDC Definition of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorfei and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful in the later stages of disease.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, landscaping, and integrated pest management. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can occasionally transmit other tick-borne diseases as well.

CDC Information on Treatment of Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease Treatment and Prognosis

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded several studies on the treatment of Lyme disease. These studies have shown that most patients can be cured with a few weeks of antibiotics taken by mouth.

Antibiotics commonly used for oral treatment include doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. Patients with certain neurological or cardiac forms of illness may require intravenous treatment with drugs such as ceftriaxone or penicillin.

Patients treated with antibiotics in the early stages of the infection usually recover rapidly and completely. A few patients, particularly those diagnosed with later stages of disease, may have persistent or recurrent symptoms. These patients may benefit from a second 4-week course of therapy. Longer courses of antibiotic treatment have not been shown to be beneficial and have been linked to serious complications, including death.

While his successful treatment is largely dependent upon strict monitored compliance to scheduled medication, your loving concern and fervent prayers for Hunter are now being requested from you as he faces his most difficult battle in his life.

If there are any messages, you would like to give to Hunter, please feel free to comment underneath.