Lyme Disease

What is Lyme disease? 

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Humans are typically infected by a bite from a black-legged tick or deer tick carrying the bacteria. The condition is most common in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Upper Midwest, and Pacific Coast regions of the United States where ticks are prevalent. Infection is most likely in spring and summer when the ticks are still in their nymph phase of life. 

Lyme disease has distinct symptoms that signal its presence. Upon noticing the symptoms of a possible Lyme disease infection, it is important to seek immediate treatment as the illness is infectious and can cause infection to spread and worsen within the body. 

Lyme disease typically occurs in phases as the infection progresses. Early localized Lyme disease spans the first 4 weeks of the condition while early disseminated Lyme disease lasts 1 to 4 months. Finally, late disseminated Lyme disease lasts 4 months up to years after initial infection. Each stage helps your primary care physician understand how severe the infection is and develop the best treatment plan to address symptoms. 

What causes Lyme disease?

Back to top

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Most often, people are infected with the bacteria after being bitten by a tick carrying the bacteria. Ticks pick up the bacteria while feeding on mice and other mammals who are also infected. The bacteria does not transfer upon immediate contact between a human and a tick. Instead, the bacteria can only transfer if a tick remains attached for between 24 and 48 hours.

There is little evidence to support any other cause of Lyme disease besides through the bite of an infected tick. Since the tick must remain attached for at least 24 hours before the risk of spreading the bacteria increases, it is important to be aware of ticks and check for them frequently if you go into wooded areas, areas with tall grass, or other parts of the United States where ticks are common. 

What are symptoms of Lyme disease?

Back to top

Lyme disease has distinct symptoms that vary depending on the stage of the disease. Often, tick bites go unnoticed until symptoms of the disease set in. Each person may experience symptoms differently than what is characteristic of each stage, and some stages may overlap. 

Stage 1: 3 to 30 days after bite

Early on symptoms tend to be less noticeable and can resemble other common symptoms of other conditions. 

Stage 2: 3 to 10 weeks after bite

The symptoms of Stage 2 Lyme disease appear as the condition worsens and spreads without proper treatment. At this stage, the disease has disseminated beyond the initial point of infection. 

  • Multiple rashes
  • Muscle weakness of the face
  • Pain, swelling, and vision loss in the eyes 
  • Pain and numbness in hands and feet 
  • Neck stiffness 
  • Irregular heartbeat

Stage 3: 2 to 12 months after bite

Stage 3 Lyme disease can include many symptoms from the prior 2 stages. In addition to those symptoms, the most common symptoms of Stage 3 Lyme disease include:

  • Long-lasting pain and stiffness
  • Buildup of fluid in the joints and often the knees

Are there any risk factors or groups for Lyme disease?

Back to top

Lyme disease is becoming a much more common illness in the United States, with upwards of 30,000 cases of the disease reported each year. This figure is already a low estimate given the amount of cases that go undiagnosed and unreported. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness. However, not everyone who gets bit by a tick will develop the disease. 

Anyone can get Lyme disease, but there are some activities that put you at a higher risk of getting bitten by a tick and being infected. Frequently being outdoors and doing outdoors activities such as gardening, hiking, or hunting place you in an environment with a higher chance of ticks being present. You can get infected any time of year, but ticks are most active in the spring, summer, and fall. Ticks live in and around areas with tall grass, bushes, and trees, so you should recognize the risk of a tick bite if you frequent natural areas that could have ticks.  

How is Lyme disease diagnosed?

Back to top

To diagnose Lyme disease, you should see your healthcare provider. While some of the symptoms can confirm a diagnosis, it is best to promptly see a doctor for an official diagnosis and start a treatment plan. 

During the appointment, your doctor will likely review your recent activities and symptoms to assess if Lyme disease is likely and what stage the condition might be in. The doctor can check for the physical symptoms of the condition, mainly the bull’s-eye rash that often appears in the early stage. If the condition is caught early enough, a physical exam may be the only diagnostic tool necessary. 

However, if a physical exam is inconclusive or the symptoms you have point to Lyme disease, your doctor will likely conduct a blood test to confirm the presence of antibodies to the bacteria. In the event that the blood test comes back negative for the antibodies, you may need to return for a repeat test weeks later. If a second negative is recorded, then you do not have Lyme disease. If the blood test returns a positive result in the first test, the test will be run again to confirm the disease. 

How is Lyme disease treated?

Back to top

The main treatment for Lyme disease is a course of antibiotics meant to kill the bacteria and treat the resulting infection. The sooner you start the antibiotic treatment, the more likely your recovery will be quicker and less complicated. The type and course of antibiotics depends on the stage of the condition and your response to the antibiotics. 

Your doctor will choose the best antibiotic for your case of Lyme disease based on your age, symptoms, allergies, and potential pregnancy. The most common antibiotics used to treat Lyme disease are amoxicillin, doxycycline, or cefuroxime axetil. In early stages of the disease, the 10- to 14-day course of the antibiotics can be taken orally. However, more advanced stages of the condition may require intravenous (IV) antibiotics to more aggressively treat the infection.

Some may experience a condition called post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), which is characterized by lingering fatigue, pain, and trouble thinking for a span of 6 or more months. You should follow up with your doctor if your symptoms of Lyme disease continue post treatment to get treatment and learn how to manage your symptoms.  

Should you see a doctor for Lyme disease?

Back to top

You should see a doctor for Lyme disease as soon as you notice new symptoms of the condition or suspect that you have been bitten by a tick. Since treatment is most successful if started early on, it is important to not let symptoms get worse before you take action. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice the bull’s-eye rash develop or if you have a fever, chills, or other symptoms of infections after being vulnerable to a tick bite. 

After you get treated for Lyme disease, you should follow up with your doctor if you start feeling unwell or notice symptoms like confusion or a stiff neck. It is possible you are experiencing PTLDS or other complications that result from Lyme disease. 

  • What is the outlook for people living with Lyme disease? 

While many people diagnosed with Lyme disease will recover with no complications, the outlook for people who have had Lyme disease can involve some complications. For those who recover successfully, the recurrence of symptoms is unlikely. After the course of antibiotics, people will return to normal within a few weeks. Others, however, might experience longer-lasting symptoms like arthritis, body aches, and tiredness. Sometimes referred to as chronic Lyme disease, the continued symptoms of Lyme disease might remain long-term. 

To prevent a Lyme disease infection, there are safety measures you can take to protect yourself. When you know you will be in an area with ticks, you should use insect repellents, wear protective clothes with long layers, and carefully check yourself for ticks after a possible exposure. As soon as you notice a tick has latched onto your skin, carefully remove the tick, dispose of it properly, and clean the bite area.

How to remove a tick to prevent Lyme disease?

Back to top

Ticks can be hard to find on yourself, especially if they are younger. As soon as you notice a tick, it is essential to remove the tick quickly and carefully. 

To remove a tick safely:

  1. Use a pair of clean tweezers to grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as you can. 
  2. In one motion, pull the tick straight out, being careful not to wiggle or twist the tweezers. 
  3. Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet, putting it in alcohol, or putting it in a sealed bag in the garbage. 
  4. Thoroughly disinfect and clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. 

Categories

Archives