International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society
Encyclopedia
The International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society (ILADS, pronounced /ˈaɪlædz/) is a non-profit interest group which advocates for greater acceptance of the controversial medical entity of chronic Lyme disease.
Controversy exists as to the existence and proper treatment of chronic Lyme disease. Major patient advocacy organizations, as well as the Center for Science in the Public Interest
support the ILADS position. In addition, several states including California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have laws protecting doctors who use ILADS treatment guidelines . Major US medical authorities, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America
, the American Academy of Neurology
, and the National Institutes of Health
, have stated that there is no convincing evidence that Borrelia is involved in chronic Lyme disease. Along with a few physicians, ILADS has questioned the generalizability and reliability of some of the trials referred to by IDSA and the reliability of the current diagnostic tests.
As a result of this fundamentally different view of the nature of long-term effects of Borrelia infection, ILADS has produced treatment recommendations which conflict with those of major mainstream medical bodies. A 2004 article in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal on the prevalence of inaccurate online information about Lyme disease cited the ILADS website as a source of such inaccurate material.
Controversy exists as to the existence and proper treatment of chronic Lyme disease. Major patient advocacy organizations, as well as the Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center for Science in the Public Interest is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit watchdog and consumer advocacy group focusing on nutritional education and awareness.-History and funding:...
support the ILADS position. In addition, several states including California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have laws protecting doctors who use ILADS treatment guidelines . Major US medical authorities, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Infectious Diseases Society of America
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a medical association representing physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases. As of 2010, IDSA had approximately 9,000 members...
, the American Academy of Neurology
American Academy of Neurology
The American Academy of Neurology is a professional society for neurologists and neuroscientists. As a medical specialty society it was established in 1949 by A.B. Baker of the University of Minnesota to advance the art and science of neurology, and thereby promote the best possible care for...
, and the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
, have stated that there is no convincing evidence that Borrelia is involved in chronic Lyme disease. Along with a few physicians, ILADS has questioned the generalizability and reliability of some of the trials referred to by IDSA and the reliability of the current diagnostic tests.
As a result of this fundamentally different view of the nature of long-term effects of Borrelia infection, ILADS has produced treatment recommendations which conflict with those of major mainstream medical bodies. A 2004 article in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal on the prevalence of inaccurate online information about Lyme disease cited the ILADS website as a source of such inaccurate material.