Summary about Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks). The bacterium responsible for Lyme disease in North America is Borrelia burgdorferi. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary and appear in stages. Early symptoms (3-30 days after a tick bite) can include:
Fever
Chills
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle and joint aches
Swollen lymph nodes
Erythema migrans (EM) rash: a characteristic "bull's-eye" rash that expands from the site of the tick bite. Not everyone gets this rash. Later symptoms (days to months after a bite) can include:
Severe headaches and neck stiffness
Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body
Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees
Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)
Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
Nerve pain
Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
Problems with short-term memory
Causes
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. The ticks become infected by feeding on infected animals, such as mice, birds, and deer. Humans are typically infected when bitten by infected nymphal (immature) ticks, which are small and difficult to see.
Medicine Used
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. Common antibiotics used include:
Oral antibiotics: For early-stage Lyme disease, oral antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime are typically used for 10-21 days.
Intravenous antibiotics: For more severe cases, such as Lyme carditis or neurological Lyme disease, intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or penicillin may be required for 14-28 days.
Is Communicable
Lyme disease is not communicable from person to person. It is only transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.
Precautions
Avoid tick-infested areas: Stay on cleared paths and trails when hiking or walking in wooded or grassy areas.
Use insect repellent: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone to skin and clothing according to product instructions.
Wear protective clothing: Wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks or boots, and a hat when in tick-infested areas.
Check for ticks: Conduct thorough tick checks on yourself, your children, and your pets after spending time outdoors. Pay close attention to areas under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in hair.
Shower soon after being outdoors: Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease.
Remove ticks promptly and properly: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Lawn care: Keep grass mowed and clear brush and leaf litter around homes.
How long does an outbreak last?
Lyme disease outbreaks don't occur in the same way as other infectious diseases. It's an ongoing risk in endemic areas (areas where Lyme disease is common) during tick season (typically spring, summer, and fall). Individual infections occur when a person is bitten by an infected tick. The risk of infection persists throughout tick season.
How is it diagnosed?
Lyme disease diagnosis is based on:
Clinical presentation: Symptoms, especially the presence of an EM rash.
History of tick exposure: Recent tick bite or presence in a tick-endemic area.
Laboratory testing: Blood tests to detect antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. The most common tests are:
ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay): Used as an initial screening test.
Western blot: Used to confirm positive or equivocal ELISA results. Note: Testing may not be accurate in the early stages of infection (first few weeks) before antibodies develop.
Timeline of Symptoms
Early Localized Lyme Disease (3-30 days after bite): Flu-like symptoms, EM rash.
Early Disseminated Lyme Disease (weeks to months): Multiple EM rashes, neurological symptoms (facial palsy), heart problems (Lyme carditis), joint pain.
Late Disseminated Lyme Disease (months to years): Severe arthritis, chronic neurological problems (nerve pain, cognitive difficulties).
Important Considerations
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications.
Not everyone with Lyme disease remembers a tick bite or develops an EM rash.
Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS): Some people treated for Lyme disease continue to experience symptoms (fatigue, pain, cognitive difficulties) for months or even years after treatment. The cause of PTLDS is not fully understood, and treatment is focused on managing symptoms.
Prevention is key in reducing the risk of Lyme disease.
Consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.