Lyme Disease

Abstract

Spring has arrived, people emerge from their wintertime captivity to enjoy the

great outdoors. Unfortunately there is a small insect as well who likes to introduce

himself to the warm weather too. It is the tick, best known as the carrier of the bacteria

that cause Lyme disease вЂ" the silent plague.

Lyme disease may be on people's minds as the weather warms up and people spend

more time outside their home. What exactly is Lyme disease? How is Lyme disease

diagnosed? What are the symptoms? How can you avoid getting it? What treatments

are available? Let's take a closer look at this disease.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease was first described in the United States in the town Lyme,

Connecticut in the early 1970's. It was a mysterious outbreak of arthritis cases among

children. They discovered that the affected children lived near wooded areas and the

symptoms typically started in the tick's height season. Further investigations resulted in

the discovery that tiny deer ticks infected with a spiral-shaped bacterium or spirochete

were responsible for the outbreak of arthritis in Lyme. The disease is difficult to

diagnose, because the symptoms are very similar to other diseases. Most infections

occur in the spring and summer. Lyme disease is a infectious disease. It affects the

skin first, then the joints, the nervous system and, if untreated, eventually other organs

like the heart.

What causes Lyme Disease?

Many people think that Lyme disease is caused by ticks. However, it is actually a

disease caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is usually

found in animals such as mice and deer. Ticks can pick up the bacteria when they bite

an infected animal. The ticks can attach themselves to humans and bite them. The ticks

can then transmit the bacteria to the human which can lead to Lyme disease. NOT all

ticks carry the bacteria.

How is Lyme disease diagnosed?

The first step is a physical examination. The most telling symptom of Lyme disease is

the circular expanding, classic red rash. Usually, because the rash is very distinct, a

person with the rash can be immediately diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Blood test for antibodies to Lyme bacteria is not really necessary in early stages of the

disease but it can help to diagnose it in later stages. Antibodies which are produced by

the body against the bacteria can be an evidence that the individual is exposed with the

bacteria.

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

A characteristic red rash usually occurs at the site of the bite; however, the bite

may go unnoticed. A few months after the bite, muscle paralysis, joint inflammation,

neurological symptoms and sometimes heart symptoms may occur. Lyme disease may

be hard to detect because its symptoms are similar to another illnesses.

Most Common Symptoms - Early Infection

An illness with flu-like symptoms during spring and summer

A skin rash which varies in size, shape and color

A flat or slightly raised red lesion (erythema migrans) at the site of the tick bite

Muscle and joint aches

Headache

Fever

Fatigue

Stiff neck

Joint inflammation in the knees and other large joints

Multiple EM lesions

Facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)

Meningitis

Radiculitis (numbness, tingling, burning)

Brief episodes of joint pain and swelling

Strange, unusual or hostile behavior (not so common, but can occur in later disease)

Most Common Symptoms - Late Infection

Arthritis, especially in knees and hips

Problems with the nervous system

Encephalopathy (mild to moderate confusion)

Less Common Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Heart abnormalities

Eye problems such as conjunctivitis

Chronic skin disorders

Encephalomyelitis (limb weakness, motor coordination)