Lyme Disease Update Review
Information on lyme disease symptoms,sign,diagnosis,treatment and complication.This is an infectious disease caused by ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi.
Lyme Disease General Considerations
Lymedisease is a tick-borne illness caused by the spirochete B burgdorferi. Lymedisease can be divided into early disease (stage 1, EM), disseminated infection (stage 2), and late disease (stage 3, persistent infection). The first stage involves the skin, followed by stages 2 and 3, which often affect the skin, joints, CNS, and heart. However, any of the stages may fail to appear or may overlap with one another
Clinical stages of Lymedisease in children and adults
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Localized erythema chronicum migrans | Early infection |
| Disseminated infection | Within days or years |
| Persistent infection | Months to years |
Overview of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacterium is transmitted to humans via a tick bite. Within 1 to 2 weeks after being infected, a “bull’s-eye” rash can develop at the tick bite site accompanied by fever, headache, and muscle or joint pain. Some people may have Lymedisease and not have any early symptoms. However, others can have a fever and other “flu-like” symptoms without a rash.
Lyme Disease Treatment Conclusion
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin. Antibiotic treatment for early Lyme disease is effective, and symptoms usually go away within 3 weeks of treatment.3
The earlier antibiotic treatment is started after infection, the faster and more completely you will recover.4 Research indicates that if you are given a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours after being bitten by an infected tick, your chances of getting Lyme disease may be reduced by up to 87%.5 This treatment may be especially effective for those who live in high-risk areas.
If Lyme disease is not diagnosed and treated until later problems arise, it may take you a long time to get better or you may need additional treatment.
