How Susceptible Are Family Members?

People suffering from Morgellons disease are often fearful that they will give it to other family members. With the painful symptoms, it is understandable that they are concerned about passing this disease on to anyone, especially the people that they love. Since the cause of Morgellons disease is unknown, it is difficult to determine if the disease is contagious. Some patients have family members that exhibit no symptoms at all. There are other reports of entire families becoming infected around the same time.

Dr. George Schwartz, who has been researching the disease, claims that Morgellons is contagious and poses a hazard those who come in contact with people suffering from Morgellons Disease. Dr. Schwartz has even referenced a case in Idaho where a family who suffered with Morgellons sold their house, and all those in the new family members contracted the disease. Because of this, Dr. Schwartz believes that Morgellons should be disclosed in real estate transactions. He also believes that those suffering from Morgellons should avoid motel and hotel stays in order to avoid transmission to others. Schwartz contends that transmission can be made through gardening, salon hair treatments, flooded houses, swimming pools, and person to person.
Others studying the disease are not sure that the disease is can be transmitted through humans. A significant percentage of those affected by the disease hold jobs as nurses and teachers. It has not been ruled out that the disease is being transmitted to or from these individuals at a higher rate because of their contact with the public. This would indicate that person-to-person transmission is possible.

It also appears that animals are being affected. Morgellons patients are reporting that their pets are also showing symptoms of the disease. Most of these cases involve dogs, but cats have also been affected. Several horse owners have reported cases of skin lesions similar to Morgellons lesions on their horses. Dr. Schwartz contends that Morgellons can be transmitted through animal bites. This includes bites from animals such as birds, squirrels, rats, dogs, and cats, as well as bites from insects.

The key to determining if Morgellons is contagious is by uncovering if its causes are environmental or biological. It is difficult to ascertain if family members are getting the disease from each other or some invisible agent in their homes or work. Understanding this would be a huge breakthrough in the treatment of the disease.

In order to avoid the transmission to others, some individuals are diligent in their cleaning, believing that vacuuming and washing clothing separately will prevent them from contaminating their family members. It is unclear if this is effective. If the causes are environmental and the Morgellons patient acquired the disease someplace other than the home, the other family members are unlikely to develop symptoms unless the infectious agent is present within the home. On the other hand, if the disease is transmitted from person to person, it would be difficult to avoid infecting others living in the same home.

Since the so little is known about the causes of Morgellons, it is hard to confirm or dismiss the contagious nature of the disease. Hopefully, the answers will become clearer as doctors continue to research the disease.