What is Lyme Disease - Lyme disease is an illness caused by a spirochete bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to animals and man through the bite of infected
ticks. The disease is reported worldwide and throughout the United States.
What causes Lyme Disease - Lyme disease is mostly caused by the bite of an infected tick. Different ticks are carriers in the different regions. The 'deer tick'
in the Northeast and midwest, The 'black-legged tick' in the South, The 'western black-legged tick' in the West, and The 'lone star tick' found in several regions are
all considered as lyme disease spreaders. The growing concern is that the common 'dog tick' may also be capable of transmitting the disease. Transmission by
biting insects may also be a possibility, but these cases are very rare.
Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
- Lyme disease has many symptoms, but skin symptoms, arthritis and various neurological symptoms are usually
present. Conventional therapy is with antibiotics. The first and most common sign is a "bull's-eye" rash, or a ring of inflamed skin surrounding the initial tick bite or a
papular/raised rash. Often the victim develops a fever, and fatigue. Headache, muscle and joint aches are other symptoms.
Left untreated Lyme Disease can cause meningitis, tremor, pain and even hallucinations and memory loss. Symptoms usually appear in 1-2 weeks, but can be as
long as one month. However, it is possible for an infected person to display no symptoms, or display only one or two symptoms, which can make a diagnosis
very difficult. The late and worse symptoms of Lyme disease can appear months to years from getting infected.
Treatment For Lyme Disease
- Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics taken for 3 to 4 weeks. More difficult cases may require longer treatment and combinations of drugs. Re-infection from tick bites is possible after treatment.
Medicines used against Lyme disease include: oral doxycycline for adult, and children are usualy given amoxicillin or cephalosporin. When the antibiotics are given by
injection, doctors will usualy give benzylpenicillin, cefotaxime or ceftriaxone.
Lyme Disease Prevention
- There are quite a few things you can do to help prevent Lyme Disease. Avoiding tick
infested areas is the best protection. Wooded, grassy areas are more likely to harbor ticks. Wear good protective clothing when entering tick areas.
Wearing light colored clothes makes spotting the ticks easier. Walking in the center of trails when hiking to avoid overgrown grass and weeds the ticks may be
hiding in. After you pets, and children come inside from being outdoor activities, look them over for ticks.
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medical services or advice.
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