In this blog, we will discuss about the symptoms, causes, types and tests related to the Lyme disease. We will also discuss some questions related to Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is the infectious disease caused by a bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is caused by the deer tick, which is a black legged infected tick. Person bitten by the tick will be the infection and this is name after the town from where it originated. This was one of the major healthcare concerns in the 1970s in America, Europe and Asian parts. Early diagnosis was key to the condition and can be treated fully without causing much of the other health concerns.
This leads to various complications to the patients and was very hard to treat at the later stages of the infection. So, it was important to diagnose and treat the condition in the early stages of the infection or disease. Ticks are very common in the places of unhygienic conditions are the places where people rear animals. The another name of this tick is deer tisk and deer tick were common during 1970. People associated with the rearing of animals and other live stock was at higher risk of getting the condition.
List the Causes of Lyme Disease
This condition is caused when an infected black-legged tick bites the person leading to the infection. There is a specific pattern of events which lead to the infection and at the end Lyme disease.
Here is how the Lyme disease occurs:
- Black-legged tick becomes infected after it feeds on the infected animals. These animals can include mice or deer, when the tick sucks blood from these infected animals, the tick gets infected and becomes the carrier of the infection.
- The bacterium multiplies in the gut and reaches to the mouth of the tick. The bacteria living in the gut travels to the mouth when it bites the human and infects.
- The transmission of bacteria from the tick to the humans requires an attachment of about 36-48 hours or more than that. This is important and it makes the timing crucial, if the tick is removed before that, There is less chances of infection from the tick.
This infection is dangerous in many ways, as it can infect joints, heart and nervous system of the body and making it more complicated health condition. But it is also important to remember that this infection doesn’t spread from person to person contact. This infection will also not spread through contact, mosquitoes, food or water.
List of Symptoms of the Lyme Disease
There are various symptoms which give the idea of the infection of Lyme disease and these symptoms include:
- Red rash expanding
- Bull’s eye characteristic
- Fever and
- Chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Joint aches
- Lymph nodes swollen
- Body rashes
- Neck stiffness
- Severe headache
- Meningitis
- Swelling in large joints
- Palpitations in heart
- Irregular heartbeat
- Arthritis
- Brain inflammation
- Inflammation in spinal cord
List of Lyme disease Types
There are various types of Lyme disease and these include:
- Early localized Lyme disease
- Early disseminated Lyme disease
- Late disseminated Lyme disease
- Neurological Lyme
- Lyme arthritis
- Lyme carditis
Tests to Detect Lyme Disease
- Checking for Erythema migrans rash
- Evaluating neurological or joint symptoms
- ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Western blot test)
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture):
List of Treatment Options for the Lyme disease
- Oral Antibiotics
- Intravenous Antibiotics
- Pain relievers
- Physical therapy
Preventive Measures for Lyme disease
Preventive measures are important to avoid the contamination of this disease and here are some preventive measures:
- Avoid areas where ticks thrive
- Always used insect repellents
- Wear full sleeves shirts and pants while going to grass fields
- Bath after coming from the suspected areas
- Check for any tick marks
- Keep a check for tick bites
Conclusion
Lyme disease is caused by the deer ticks and can infect the person by bites. Deer ticks carry the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which after infection grow in the gut of the tick and travel to the mouth. When the tick bites the person, it infects the person and leads to the infection. There are various factors which could lead to the condition of Lyme disease. The disease is caused by the bite and if left untreated it can affect the joints, heart, and nervous system of the person.
There is a specific pattern through which this infection occurs, when the tick sucks the blood from the infected animal and the tick gets infected. Tick needs 36-48 hours of the body attachment which can lead to the infection of the body. There are various treatments for the condition like antibiotics, painkillers even though there are not any vaccines available for the condition. There are various types of the Lyme disease and preventive measures are important to hold the disease or prevent the spread. This was one of the major healthcare concerns in the 1970s in America, Europe and Asian parts. Early diagnosis was key to the condition and can be treated fully without causing much of the other health concerns. So, it was important to diagnose and treat the condition in the early stages of the infection or disease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Which bacteria cause Lyme disease?
Bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi causes the Lyme disease.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Lyme disease symptoms include fever, chills, bulls eye etc.
Is Lyme disease treatable?
Yes, the condition is treatable and manageable.
Can Lyme disease causes by contact with infected person?
No, Lyme disease is not caused by contact with infected person.
Can Lyme disease spread by sharing food?
No, Lyme disease can not spread by sharing food.
Can Lyme disease spread by sharing water?
No, Lyme disease can not spread by sharing water.
Is Lyme disease fatal?
No, if detected early it is not fatal.
Does Lyme disease infect heart?
Yes, the condition can infect heart.
Does Lyme disease infect nervous system?
Yes, it also infects the nervous system.
When symptoms appear after bite?
Symptoms may appear after 3 to 30 days of infection.
What are the types of Lyme disease?
There are various types of Lyme disease.
Is there any vaccine for the Lyme disease?
No, vaccines are not available for the condition.
Which tests are available to detect Lyme disease?
There are various tests used to detect Lyme and these include ELISA, PCR, Spinal tap etc.
