What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infectious disease. It is caused by a bacterium called the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The deer tick or western black-legged tick bites and transmits the bacteria to humans. These ticks are the size of sesame seeds. Lyme disease occurs mainly in rural and suburban areas. Lyme disease is found in America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include: Fever Headache Fatigue Chills Neck stiffness Muscle pain Joint pain Erythema Migraine A rash that appears every week after a tick bite. 

These rashes usually start at the site of a tick bite. It became a small red dot, but it got bigger. The center is dull and looks like a "bull's eye" or ring. Some people have very red spots. The rash often burns and itches. But some people don't feel it.

The infection then spreads to the joints, heart and nervous system. The affected heart beats irregularly or slowly. Bell's palsy (a type of facial paralysis) damages the nervous system. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to arthritis (joint inflammation) and more neurological problems. 

Often, only one large joint, such as the knee, is swollen and painful. Sometimes there is swelling in more than one joint. Later, Lyme disease causes problems with concentration, memory, muscle weakness, dizziness, and numbness.

How can you tell if you have Lyme disease?

Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. He or she usually diagnoses Lyme disease if you have symptoms and a physical exam (especially a distinctive rash). It is important to consider the possibility of an infected tick bite. Laboratory tests are most helpful in the later stages of the disease. Initially they may give false results. 

People who have had Lyme disease within a month may have a negative blood test because they need to develop antibodies against the disease. Also, in early Lyme disease, patients taking antibiotics for other reasons may never test positive for Lyme disease. Blood tests are almost always positive in patients who have been ill for more than a month without antibiotics.

Swollen joints or neurological symptoms may require special testing. Synovial or spinal fluid aspiration can help diagnose this condition.

How is Lyme disease treated?

Most cases of Lyme disease require several weeks of antibiotic treatment. Early Lyme disease requires 14 to 30 days of antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are usually given orally. If the nervous system is involved, intravenous antibiotics may be needed. Take all medications prescribed by your doctor. 

Do not stop taking the medicine to prevent the infection from spreading to the joints, heart and nervous system. Call your doctor and discuss any questions you have about your medication. Blood tests are not very useful for monitoring your treatment. 

Sometimes a positive test for Lyme disease occurs even after a period of treatment. In advanced Lyme disease, symptoms may improve but not disappear completely. If symptoms persist or worsen after treatment, consult your doctor.

How can Lyme disease be prevented?

Avoiding tick bites is the best way. Woodland clothes, long-sleeved shirts and pants rather than shorts are good protection. Permethrin or similar insect repellents can be used. Follow directions for use, repellents can also cause skin irritation. 

After a walk outside, check your skin and scalp for bumps and rashes. Check your pets. Remove the pieces from your clothes immediately. Also consider landscaping and pest control in your area. Ticks can also transmit other tick-borne diseases.

If you find a tick on your skin, use tweezers and hold the tick close to your skin. Pull hard, do not squeeze or twist the tick. If any remains on your skin, carefully remove them as pieces. Then apply some antiseptic ointment. The old method of pouring kerosene and gasoline into pieces did not work.

 Check your skin the next month after the tick is removed. If itching develops, see your doctor and report the bite. People who have been bitten by a tick and do not feel sick or develop a rash usually do not need antibiotics. If you are not sure, call your doctor when biting. Some other tick-borne diseases may require additional action and treatment.