Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgorferi affecting various parts and organs of the body. The first case of Lyme disease was diagnosed in 1975 in Connecticut, United States. It is a disease transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.
It always manifests itself in warm seasons and develops in several stages, affecting the neurological system and the heart. Most cases can be effectively treated with antibiotics. At FastlyHealwe tell you in detail the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Lyme disease.
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Causes of Lyme disease
The cause of Lyme disease in humans is tick bites when they carry the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi. Given the name of the bacteria, this disease is also called Lyme Borreliosis.
The tick needs to be attached to the body between 24 and 36 hours to transmit this bacteria to the blood. These insects acquire the bacteria when they bite infected mice or deer.
Since the focus of transmission is ticked, risk factors for Lyme disease include:
- I am doing outdoor activities that require tick exposure – gardening, hiking, hunting – especially in areas where Lyme disease has occurred.
- It is found in summer or spring since 100% of cases occur during the warm season.
- Proximity and prolonged contact with pets.
How does Lyme disease develop?
Lyme disease develops in three stages:
- Stage 1 . starts days or weeks after infection. This stage is known as early and localized since the disease has not yet spread throughout the body.
- Stage 2 . begins weeks or months after the bite. This stage is also called the early spread of Lyme disease; it is when the bacteria start to spread to other parts of the body.
- Stage 3 . can develop months or years after infection. The bacteria have already spread throughout the body at this stage, called late shedding.
Lyme disease symptoms
Depending on the stage of the infection, some symptoms or others may occur. Symptoms can come and go, but this does not mean that Lyme disease has disappeared; specialist treatment is necessary to prevent the bacteria from spreading to the brain or heart.
In the first stage of Lyme disease, called early and localized, the following symptoms may occur:
- Fever and chills
- General discomfort.
- Headache
- Pain and swelling in the joints.
- Neck stiffness.
- Muscle pains.
- Erythema migrans: a red, cockade-shaped patch on the skin at the tick bite site. This rash spreads slowly and can be flat or slightly raised.
In the second stage, of early dissemination, in the symptoms of Lyme Borreliosis, the following are added in addition to those of the previous step:
- Heart problems (palpitations, irregular heartbeat).
- Difficulty breathing and chest pain.
- Neurological problems (impaired language and blurred vision).
- Hallucinations
- Clumsy movements.
- Facial paralysis or weakness in the muscles of the face.
In the third stage of late spread, which develops months or even years after the bite, the following symptoms appear (in addition to the above):
- More neurological severe disorders (confusion, sleep disorder, memory loss).
- Permanent arthritis
- Muscle numbness and tingling
Lyme disease diagnosis
A blood test can be done to check for antibodies against Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria. The ELISA for Lyme disease is usually used, but in the early stages of infection, blood tests may be regular.
When the infection has already spread to various parts of the body, there is the possibility of doing other tests to detect the problems that it entails in the heart or the neurological system, as indicated by the symptoms of the later stages:
- Electrocardiograph.
- Echocardiography
- MRI of the brain.
- Spinal tap: A puncture is done in the lower back to examine the cerebrospinal fluid.
Lyme disease treatment
Treatment of Lyme disease can only be appointed by a specialist, so it is necessary to come to his consultation and perform the appropriate diagnostic tests, even when the initial symptoms disappear.
If Lyme disease is diagnosed, the following treatment is followed:
- The cycle of antibiotics from 10 days to 4 weeks in doses depends on the symptoms and the stage in which the development of the infection is found.
- Antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, penicillin, doxycycline, and cefuroxime are generally used.
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen relieve inflammation.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Lyme disease: Symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair and nails category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.