Are you a patient with Lyme Disease?
Discovering that you have been infected with lyme disease can be overwhelming. There usually are many unanswered questions and concerns that recently infected people have. One that may come to mind is how can I help someone else that may go the same process and struggles that I have? Participating in Research helps scientist and clinicians find new treatments, tests and quicker diagnostic methods to improve patient outcomes and hopefully prevent the disease from spreading. You can Help! Become a lyme disease donor with PPA! The information below is not meant for clinical diagnosis, but as an educational resource.
Become a donor
Please review the following donor requirements:
- You must be clinically diagnosed by a medical professional. Documentation of the diagnosis and/or treatment may be required.
- You must have a photo ID and be able to provide your social security number or proof of citizenship.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must weight at least 110 lbs.
- You must disclose if you have ever been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and/or HIV.
To begin the Qualification Process, please fill out the Pre-Screening Form. For other questions and concerns about requirements or other information, please check out our FAQ’s. Check out the educational information below!
Lyme Disease
Definition
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in North America and Europe. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Deer ticks, which feed on the blood of animals and humans, can harbor the bacteria and spread it when feeding.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease vary and usually affect more than one system. The skin, joints and nervous system are affected most often. Early stage symptoms include rash and flu-like symptoms while later stage symptoms include joint pain and neurological problems.
Treatment
Antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease. In general, recovery will be quicker and more complete the sooner treatment begins. If the disease involves the central nervous system, IV antibiotics may be recommended.
(Mayo Clinic, 2015)