Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (B.burgdorferi), which is a bacteria transmitted to humans through a bite from an infected black-legged or deer tick. Its symptoms can appear anywhere in between three to thirty days after the bite. The chances of developing the Lyme disease from a tick bite depends on the kind of tick. Several disease experts suggest black-legged ticks should be attached for 36 to 48 hours to transmit the disease. A recent study revealed that the ticks have expanded their range from southern parts of the country to the Northern region, increasing their population by almost 80 percent.
The symptoms of Lyme disease depend on the following 3 stages:
Stage 1: Early localized disease
The symptoms start within two weeks after the tick bite. A “bulls-eye” rash is one of the earliest signs of Lyme disease, indicating that the bacteria have multiplied and entered the bloodstream. The rash occurs at the site of the tick bite and can be warm to touch but it is not painful and does not itch. It usually disappears after a couple of weeks.
Stage 2: Early disseminated Lyme disease
The early disseminated Lyme disease occurs several weeks after the tick bite as the bacteria starts spreading in the bloodstream. It is characterized by flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat, chills, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, vision changes, headaches, muscle pain, and fatigue. Rashes might also appear in several other areas of tick bites and cause other neurological signs such as numbness, tingling sensation, and Bell’s palsy.
Stage 3: Late disseminated Lyme disease
The symptoms of late disseminated Lyme disease occur when the infection has not been treated in stage 1 and stage 2. This stage (stage 3) has more serious signs which include severe headaches; arthritis; irregular heart rate; brain disorders; mental fogginess; and numbness in arms, legs, and feet.
Diagnosis
Lyme’s disease diagnosis begins with an assessment of the patient’s health history and physical examination. Tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) help in detecting B. burgdorferi. Western blot can be used to confirm a positive ELISA test by checking the presence of antibodies specific to the bacteria’s protein. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to diagnose people with Lyme arthritis and is performed on joint fluid or spinal fluid.
Treating Lyme disease
Early treatment of Lyme disease is a simple 14 to 21-day course involving oral antibiotics which eliminate traces of infection. Doxycycline is administered to children older than 8 years and cefuroxime and amoxicillin can be administered to adults, younger children, and nursing or breastfeeding women.
Chronic cases of Lyme disease are treated with intravenous antibiotics where the treatment eliminates the infection but the symptoms improve more slowly.
Preventing Lyme disease
Preventing Lyme disease mostly involves avoiding a tick bite by:
- Wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts when outdoors
- Keeping the underbrush to a minimum, clearing the wooded areas, and placing woodpiles in direct sunlight
- Using lemon and eucalyptus oil as they repel ticks
- Removing ticks with tweezers and contacting the doctor in case a tick bite develops into a persistent rash
