Morgellons - Should We Worry?

It seems that every decade or so, science discovers a new contagious disease to terrify Americans. From AIDS to mad-cow to bird flu, as medications and inoculations were found to combat contagious illnesses, newer illnesses were found. For which there was no cure.

Science has yet to admit to the discovery of a mysterious illness that strikes at all ages, even infants, in the form of lesions that produce a fiber-like substance and make the person suffering from the ailment feel as if bugs are crawling within their skin. At the present, the disease affects approximately 10,000 American families, mostly in Southern California, Texas and Florida.

Modern science will not admit to the existence of the disease, which has been named "Morgellons Disease" after a disease identified in the 17th century that produced black hairs emerging from lesions, by a grassroots organization formed to raise public awareness about the possibility of a contagious illness slowly emerging within the community of Southern California. Whether this is a parasite or fungus or a bacterial infection remains to be seen as clinical trials and examinations have yet to be performed.

Although not in itself a fatal illness, Morgellons disease produces lesions and rashes in its victim, similar to those produced by scabies or Lyme disease, with neurological side effects as well. It is evident, from those who have developed the disease, the central nervous system is impaired to point where someone is unable to lead a productive life. Those suffering from Morgellons have confusion, poor short term memory and behavioral problems. Because they suffer from severe itching akin to chronic pain, they also tend to suffer from depression.

In addition to neurological disorders, those suffering from Morgellons also complain of gastronomical and vision problems.

The idea that there is a disease out there that makes one's skin feel like it's crawling is enough to.well, actually make one's skin crawl. But what's more frightening is the notion that medical science refuses to acknowledge a contagious illness that attacks the central nervous system.

Morgellons was discovered and named by Mary Leitao, a biologist whose son, Drew, had sores under his lip and complained of "bugs" from the time he was two years old. After taking the child to at least eight different doctors and examining the fibers produced by her son's body under a microscope, Leitao named the disease after an obscure 17th century disease written about by writer and physician Sir Thomas Browne, who noted a condition in which children's lesions sprouted black hairs. Although those in the medical community who acknowledge the illness do not think that today's Morgellons is not thought to be the same disease Sir Thomas Browne described, but a new infectious disease.

Morgellons gained some notoriety in 2006 when reports about a "mystery illness" that was striking Southern Californians emerged on several news programs. It was in this year that the Center of Disease Control investigated Mrs. Leitao's findings, only to announce that although they agree that the condition exists, it is of an unknown origin and is a syndrome, not a proven disease.

For more information, contact the Morgellons web site.