Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which are spiral bacteria transmitted by ticks. It is usually characterized by an expanding, ringlike erythematous skin lesion and by flulike symptoms such as headache, sore throat, stiff neck, fatigue, fever and chills. Lyme disease is not fatal and is treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated it can result in joint pain, chronic arthritis, and in some cases cardiac and neurological disorders. Over 90 percent of all Lyme disease cases are in the northeastern and midwestern United States.
Self-Care at Home
Lyme disease is a serious health threat and one of the most common insect-borne diseases in the United States. Health departments in areas with high numbers of reported cases of Lyme disease typically sponsor public education campaigns, including seminars, literature distribution and e-mails designed to raise public awareness about ways to minimize the risk of tick bites. The increase of Lyme disease in the United States is attributed to factors such as greater exposure to urban wildlife and global warming, which fosters conditions favorable to increased tick survival, the seasonal activity of these insects as well as wider spatial distribution of tick vectors.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are the primary treatment for Lyme disease. Some of these antibiotics, including doxycycline, penicillin or amoxicillin are taken orally. But in severe cases, these medications must be infused intravenously in a hospital or an outpatient clinic, especially when the nervous system is involved. In the early stages of Lyme disease, antibiotics can usually eliminate the infection and its symptoms. But there is no cure for tertiary Lyme disease and symptoms persist even after antibiotic treatment.
Follow-Up
Follow-up care is important for Lyme disease patients who have completed a course of antibiotic treatment but still experience complications such as cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances and severe fatigue. A doctor must rule out other conditions that could be causing Lyme disease symptoms and identify further treatment options. Patients admitted to the hospital and treated with IV antibiotics must be carefully monitored for at least a few weeks following discharge from the hospital.
