After years of living with mysterious symptoms, a young girl from Brooklyn anda DukeUniversity scientist are diagnosed with a disease said to not exist: Chronic Lyme disease.The Quiet Epidemic follows their search for answers, which lands them in the middle of avicious medical debate. What begins as a patient story evolves into an investigation into thehistory of Lyme disease, dating back to its discovery in 1975. A paper trail of suppressedscientific research, and buried documents reveals why ticks—and the diseases they carry—have been allowed to quietly spread around the globe.
According to the CDC, an estimated500,000 people are infected withLyme each year, and 10-20% of them remain sick afterantibiotic treatment. Even still, Lyme is often dismissed by the medical establishment.
Review: In true Hot Docs film selection style, The Quiet Epidemic will give you a heartbreaking but thorough insight into Lyme disease and how it destroys the lives of those afflicted and their families. I appreciated the lens of advocacy discussed by the documentary subjects. Within the pain, anguish and sorrow of a tremendous vicious medical debate – there is optimism in the voices of those living with Lyme disease.
Thirty Four Flavours Rating: 4.5/5
Thirty Four Flavours 