Lyme disease, which is also referred to as Borreliosis, is the result of an infected tick biting a human and passing on the organism which causes Lyme disease. Lyme disease is named for the town of the first cases in 1975, which were discovered in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Lyme disease is now a threat in every state within the United States, most Canadian countries, and some South American countries. If there are ticks, there is Lyme disease. Lyme disease tends to mimic various diseases and can often be very difficult to diagnose. Over 16,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported in the United States annually.
Symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to many autoimmune diseases as well as neurological diseases. Symptoms include either a flat or raised lesions in the area of the tick bite which has the potential to range from 1 to 3 inches in diameter. The lesion often has a white center and red streak like rims or a clear center with redness around it. Other symptoms include muscle pain, fever, lethargy, headache, stiff neck, joint inflammation, itching, or unusual behaviors.
Lyme disease is caused by the transferring of the Lyme disease organism from tick to human through a bite. Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease which is carried not only in ticks but in mice as well. It is rare that Lyme disease is transferred from the bite of a mouse as mice tend to flee rather than seek out humans for any reason. Ticks, being parasites, are interested in humans as a source of food.
Risk factors for Lyme disease are regional. The higher the concentration of ticks, the more likely an individual is to pick up a tick and receive a bite from an infected tick. Walking in wooded areas, high grass, and saturated marsh land increases the chances of picking up ticks infected with Lyme disease as well. Most cases of Lyme disease occur in the second half of spring, summer, and early fall. The Northeast, Upper Midwest, and The West coast are all considered hot spots for Lyme disease infected ticks.
Lyme disease is very difficult to diagnose, and often diagnosis is missed. Symptoms may or may not immediately appear, and thus this makes it more difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis may include a physical examination, which in the advanced stages of the disease will show inflammation of the joints, and heart or brain abnormalities. Antibodies can be found of a blood test known as immunoflourescence is done or a blood test called the ELISA test which is then confirmed with a Western Blot Test.
Untreated Lyme disease can lead to joint swelling, heart problems, and brain abnormalities as well as secondary Lyme disease and Tertiary Lyme disease. These complications can cause problems with mobility, breathing, heart function, and brain function. It is not unusual for someone with Lyme disease to become cranky and irritable without any known cause.
The early stages of Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory medications are often prescribed to relieve the joint stiffness associated with Lyme disease. Stronger antibiotics or even intravenous antibiotics may be prescribed for the later stages of Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be complicated to treat in children as some very strong antibiotics can have an adverse affect on developing bones or organs.
The best defense against Lyme disease is defense against ticks. Grassy areas or wooded areas require light colored clothing, long pants that can be secured around the ankle, and shoes. Some ticks are very small, but can still carry Lyme disease. It should be daily practice during the peak months to evaluate family members after being outside for ticks. Ticks are more likely to show up against light colored clothing, but checking the hair and skin even though it was protected by long clothing. Insect deterrents such as sprays and repellent lotions are recommended.
In the event of a tick bite, it is recommended the area be marked with permanent marker and evaluated regularly. This can be difficult where there is hair, thus marking the back or shoulder just below the tick bite can help in relocating the bite. If there are any early signs of Lyme disease a physician should be notified immediately.
Lyme disease videos
Lyme Disease
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Lyme Disease (Short Film)
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Lyme Bacteria: Morphology and "Cysts" Death or Dormant
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Internal medicine tutorial, Lyme disease
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Lyme Disease and Headaches
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Spirochetes that cause Lyme Disease
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Lyme bacteria Cyst formation with detail
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Lyme Disease in Children
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Lyme Bacteria changing morphology
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Find out more by viewing the Human Anatomy page:
Digestive system
Lymphatic system
Medication commonly used for these disease:
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Ceftin can be generically prescribed as cefuroxime and is commonly used to treat life threatening or severe bacterial infections, or bacterial infections which have not responded to other antibiotics. Ceftin does not work on fungal or viral infections. Ce more...
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Tetracycline is also prescribed as Brodspec, Emtet-500, Panmycin, Sumycin, and Tetracap. Tetracycline is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, tooth infections, gonorrhea, ear infections, and o more...
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Also generically prescribed as cefaclor, Ceclor is typically used to a treat a variety of bacterial infections, including but not limited to urinary tract infections, ear infection, skin infections, tooth infections, tonsillitis, and bronchitis. Ceclor is more...
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Duricef is an antibiotic known as a cephalosporin and can be generically prescribed as cefadroxil. Duricef is commonly used to fight bacterial infections including but not limited to urinary tract infection, skin infections, ear infections, bronchitis, an more...
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Keflex, which is generically prescribed as cephalexin, is commonly used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Infections such as skin infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections and upper respiratory infections have been proven to effectively b more...
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Doxycycline can also be prescribed as Adoxa, Doxy Lemmon, Doxy Caps, Monodox, Periostat, Oracea, Vera-tabs, Vibramycin, Vibramycin Calcium, Vibramycin Hyclate, Vibramycin Monohydrate, and Doryx. Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic which is commonly u more...
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Ilosone is an antibiotic which is often generically prescribed as erythromycin and is a member of the family of drugs known as macrolide antibiotics. Ilosone has been known to produce heart related life threatening events in patients who are simultaneous more...
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Sumycin, which is generically prescribed as tetracycline, is commonly used to treat bacterial infections including but not limited to acne, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other bacterial infections. Sumycin is an antibiotic.
Sumycin i more...
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Vantin, which can be generically prescribed as cefpodoxime, is commonly used to treat bacterial infections in the body. Vantin is a member of the family of antibiotics known as cephalosporins. Vantin is ineffective on infections caused by fungi or viruses more...
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Penicillin is one of the most important discoveries of medicine. Since its inception variations of the drug were developed retaining only its antibiotic properties but of different components. Cephalexin is one of the descendants of Penicillin, a member o more...
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