Lyme disease: definition, symptoms, treatment

Definition

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease or Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans through tick bites. There are 4 types of Lyme bacteria: Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia mayonii, Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii. These bacteria can be found all over the world. In Asia, Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are the main causes of Lyme disease. Most cases of Lyme disease are caused by black-legged ticks, otherwise known as deer tick . Lyme disease bacteria can attack any organ of the body, including the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, and the heart. This makes Lyme disease difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic those of other conditions

How common is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is more common in areas where ticks are present, especially in the UK and parts of Europe, as well as North America. This condition can occur in men and women of any age. Recently, the rate of Lyme disease has increased significantly.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease?

The symptoms of Lyme disease are very similar to those of the flu or other condition, and can affect any part of the body. Depending on the location of the bite, symptoms can vary.

Early signs and symptoms (3 to 30 days after tick bite)

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Stiff neck
• Fatigue.

The most prominent initial symptom after a bite is an inflamed and red area, slowly spreading and fading in the center, forming a target-like pattern. Usually, the rash is not painful or itchy, but feels warm to the touch. In some cases, the rash doesn't appear at all. Estimates of patients who develop Lyme rash vary, from 30% to 80%.

Advanced signs and symptoms (days or months after tick bite)

• The rash appears on other parts of the body and is more visible
• The pain gets worse, including headaches, neck and joint pain
• Losing control over facial expressions (facial palsy)
• Swelling of the joints that resembles arthritis
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
• Inflammation of the eye
• Nausea and vomiting
• Irregular heartbeat
• Hard to breathe
• Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
• Problems with short term memory.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

In some cases, you won't feel the tick bite. The good news is, although ticks carry the Lyme disease bacteria, not all of them cause Lyme disease.

However, if you notice that you have recently been bitten by a flea, you should remove the flea from your body as soon as possible. The longer the tick stays on the skin, the greater the risk of infection and the more severe the symptoms will be. Lyme infection may not occur if the tick is stuck for less than 36 to 48 hours.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a disease spread by tick bites. When bitten by a flea, human blood will be sucked in until the fleas no longer stick to the skin. Lice can stick to any part of the body, but are often found in areas that are difficult to see, such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. When fleas suck blood, bacteria can pass from fleas to humans. Generally, to transmit Lyme disease, ticks must stick for 36 to 48 hours.

There has been no evidence that Lyme disease can be transmitted from person to person. You can't catch Lyme disease from touching, kissing, or having sex. Scientists discovered that the Lyme disease bacteria can live in donated blood. If you have Lyme disease, you are prohibited from donating your blood.

Same with dogs and cats. Pets can also get Lyme disease, but there is no evidence of animal-to-human transmission. But they can bring fleas into your home.

If you eat meat infected with Lyme disease, it is possible that you will catch it. Practicing food hygiene can prevent infection. Lyme disease can be transmitted from mother to child. If pregnant women are infected, the baby in the womb can also be infected. Although rare, there are cases of babies stillborn (stillbirth) from Lyme disease infection.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for lyme disease?

There are many risk factors for Lyme disease, namely:

• Stay near areas of grass
• Travel to tick-infested areas
• The skin is not closed
• Do not remove fleas properly right away
• Own a pet.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is lyme disease diagnosed?

The symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to those of many other conditions. Therefore, the best way to diagnose Lyme disease is to have a blood test to see the presence of bacteria in your blood.

The first method of diagnosis is to look at the circular rash caused by tick bites. If your doctor finds a rash, he or she may ask if you have visited an area of ​​grass or wood recently, or if you have pets.

The second method is to perform some laboratory tests. Laboratory tests are not recommended for people with Lyme disease symptoms such as a rash with flu-like symptoms. Laboratory tests are intended to confirm the diagnosis and see if there are other conditions with similar symptoms. Some of the tests to diagnose Lyme disease:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test: The most common test to detect Lyme disease bacteria. The way this test works is to look for antibodies to B. burgdoferi - a type of Lyme disease bacteria. This test may not be effective in early stage Lyme disease.
• Western blot test: If the ELISA test is positive, this test is done to confirm the diagnosis.

How to treat Lyme disease?

If you see lice on your skin, remove them immediately with tweezers. Head lice usually stick for several hours before sucking blood. Don't crush the fleas, but pull them out carefully and steadily. Once you have removed the tick, remove it and apply an antiseptic to the bitten area.

If you are diagnosed with Lyme disease, seek treatment immediately. The sooner you are treated, the faster the recovery process.

Treatment for Lyme disease includes antibody drugs to kill bacteria. Depending on the stage of the disease, you may need 2 to 4 weeks of treatment.

If left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to other parts of the world and cause more severe symptoms, and can affect the brain, nervous system, muscles and joints, heart and circulation, digestion, reproductive system, and skin. For severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend intravenous antibiotics for 14 to 28 days. These medications are harsher and can cause side effects such as decreased white blood cell counts and mild to moderate diarrhea.

After treatment, few people still experience symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue. If not treated properly, Lyme disease can go away but come back months or even years later. This condition is referred to as post-treatment of Lyme disease or chronic Lyme disease. It is not known how many people are diagnosed and treated but still have the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates a range from 10-20%.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat Lyme disease?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with Lyme disease:

• Use long sleeves, long pants, and shoes when in grassy areas. As much as possible cover your body. If you leave hiking , stay on track and avoid walking in wood or bushes. Use insect repellents to avoid tick bites, but avoid the eyes and mouth.
• Take a shower as soon as you are in the room to rid yourself of any lice that may still be on your skin.
• If you have a garden, make sure the grass is always mowed and clear any bushes and foliage where ticks can live.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.