A review in the New England Journal of Medicine argues there is no scientific evidence that Lyme disease is chronic.

   The review, written by seven Lyme disease experts, said there is no evidence that Lyme disease is a chronic condition that justifies months or even years of antibiotic treatments, the Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported.

   "I can't say there is no such thing as chronic Lyme," Dr. Henry M. Feder, Jr., co-author of the review, told the newspaper. "But the hard science says chronic Lyme does not exist."

   Feder said his colleagues said the majority of cases are easily treated with short courses of antibiotics.

   Critics said the review could make it hard for thousands of people to get treatment for potentially debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, cognitive difficulties and other neurological ailments.

   "It's a disaster for people with chronic Lyme disease," Dr. Raphael Stricker, president of the International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society, told the newspaper. "Since it appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine everyone will take it as dogma and nobody will want to pay for treatment."

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