Ellett Memorial Hospital is continuing our tick education series this week with: Lyme Disease - What You Need to Know!
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bite of infected blacklegged (deer) ticks. It is highly curable with early antibiotic treatment, but can lead to long-term health issues if left untreated.
Transmission:
Ticks need to be attached for >24 hours and begin filling with blood before they can transmitLyme disease bacteria.
Signs & Symptoms: Include an expanding skin rash, fatigue, chills & fever, headache, muscle & joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
Diagnosis: Most available blood tests measure antibodies made in response to infection, which can take several weeks to appear in the blood. People who have been infected for longer than 6 weeks will almost always test positive, but people infected for shorter periods may not. Once produced, antibodies normally remain detectable in the blood for months or years after the patient has recovered. Healthcare providers should treat patients for Lyme disease promptly if the patient has a history of recent exposure to tick bites and signs and symptoms of early Lyme disease, such as erythema migrans.
Treatment: People treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually recover rapidly and completely. The antibiotics most commonly used to treat Lyme disease include doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. Early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease can help prevent more severe disease.
Untreated Lymes Disease: If Lyme disease is left undiagnosed or untreated for months or years, the bacteria can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, causing arthritis, cognitive deficits, peripheral neuropathy, and inflammation of the heart muscle.
Please make an appointment with your primary care provider if you are concerned about Lyme Disease.
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