Facts About Lyme Disease

Overview

Lyme disease is an illness spread by a bite from an infected deer tick and affects both people and animals. The tick feeds on the blood of an infected deer and moves on to another person or animal. Once the tick begins to feed on the new host, it begins to transmit the infection over the course of 48 hours. The name of the germ or bacterium is Borrelia burgdorferi and is often found in rural areas. Although the disease is present in many parts of the country, the first significant documentation of the disease occurred in 1975 with a group of patients in Lyme, Connecticut. This group of patients manifested unusual symptoms of arthritis following exposure to a tick bite.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Lyme disease can vary from patient to patient. About 75 percent of infected patients develop a circular rash near the site of the tick bite that starts small and gets larger over the next few weeks. The rash has a red ring around a red center, often described as a bull's eye. In later stages of the disease, the rash may appear on other parts of the body as well. Along with the rash, patients may experience symptoms that are similar to the flu. These may include fatigue, body aches, neck stiffness or a fever. If left untreated, patients may begin to experience joint pain, memory loss or difficulty with concentration.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Lyme disease can sometimes be difficult because the symptoms are similar to those found in other conditions. Additionally, if you happen to be one of the few who do not have a rash near the bite, your physician may decide not to order one of the blood tests used to identify Lyme disease. The blood test may not turn positive for Lyme disease until it has been in your body long enough to develop antibodies in the blood. A detailed medical history including information about time spent outdoors or in wooded areas will help your physician determine if testing is appropriate.

Treatment

In the early stages of Lyme disease, treatment usually consists of oral antibiotics for 14 to 21 days. In more advanced stages of Lyme disease, it may be necessary to take higher doses of antibiotics intravenously. Without treatment, patients can develop arthritis and possibly neurological symptoms. These can appear similar to condition such as meningitis (very stiff neck) or Bell's palsy (facial paralysis).

Prevention

Since Lyme disease spreads through the bite of an infected deer tick, take steps to protect yourself from a bite when spending time outdoors or in wooded areas frequented by deer. Cover exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and long pants instead of shorts. If you have spent time outdoors, check for the presence of ticks when you come in. It usually takes approximately 48 hours for an infected tick to pass on the infection. Early detection and removal of a tick can prevent infection. This is not easy, as the deer tick is tiny, usually no bigger than the head of a pin. Pets should be checked upon return as well, as they, too, can become infected or carry the tick into the house to later infect a household member.

Tick Bites

If you do discover the presence of a tick, use care in removing it. Gently grasp the tick with a pair of tweezers and pull gently. Try not to crush or squeeze the tick itself. After removing the tick, clean the site and apply antiseptic. Wash your hands thoroughly and dispose of the tick. Do not try to remove the tick by burning it with a match, as this may cause the tick to release toxins into the host. Note the date of the bite and watch for symptoms such as fever, rash or severe aches and pains, and call your physician if they appear. Even if the rash is not circular, call your doctor, as ticks also carry other disease such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever or a malaria-like infection called babesiosis.