In 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 28,921 confirmed cases of Lyme disease and an additional 6,277 probable cases in the United States. Looking at the number of confirmed cases since 1994, Lyme disease is clearly on the rise, with 2008 being the year with the most cases ever. The disease is caused by a parasite called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried by the Ixodes tick, also called the deer tick. Lyme disease symptoms have several effects on the body.
Erythema Migrans
As explained by Susan Philip, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment," approximately one week after you have been bitten by an infected Ixodes tick, you may have a small, red, flat lesion (called a macule) or a small bump (papule). It will be on the spot where the tick was feeding. The lesion or bump will slowly get bigger within several days or weeks. It then often looks like a "bull's eye," although this is not always the case. Erythema migrans is the name for this characteristic rash. It is usually not itchy, but you may feel tired and have a headache, muscle aches or aching in your joints.
Pericarditis
Lyme disease can cause pericarditis. This is the inflammation of the pericardium, or the membrane that covers your heart. In "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals," Brian Hoit, M.D., Director of Echocardiography at the University Hospitals of Cleveland states that you may have a fever and chills, difficulty breathing, a cough and pain in your chest. Your pain will usually be worse when you are lying down. The pain decreases whenever you lean forward or do not breathe deeply.
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is the inflammation of the myocardium, or the muscle layer of your heart. At first, you may not have any symptoms or feel the effects. But in time, you usually begin to feel fatigued and have a hard time breathing. The inflammation can gradually get worse, or you can go into sudden heart failure.
Bell's Palsy
Bell's palsy is another symptom of Lyme disease that can have serious effects. C. Keith Stone, M.D., Professor and Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center, explains in "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine," that Bell's palsy is the paralysis of your facial nerve. This paralysis affects only one side of your face. You will have a weakness in all of the muscles in your face on that affected side. You will not be able to wrinkle your forehead, shut your eye or smile on the paralyzed side. According to Dr. Stone, these symptoms develop within 24 to 48 hours. Your face will usually start to recover in approximately one month, and you will probably have a total recovery.
Arthritis
Dr. Philip writes in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment" that months or even years after you have contracted Lyme disease, you can have problems in your joints. You can develop arthritis in one joint or in several joints. Most people have arthritis in their knee, which will be swollen and painful. According to Dr. Philip, even without treatment the swelling and pain usually goes away within a few months, but it can also recur.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Reported Cases of Lyme Disease by Year
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine"; C. Keith Stone, M.D., Roger Humphries, M.D.; 2008
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2009
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Pericarditis
