How serious is Lyme Disease ?

Lyme disease , or borreliosis , is a potentially life - threatening condition that is transmitted to humans by black legged ticks.

The tick infects the person with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (B.burgdorferi). 

At first , a rash may appear. This can disappear without treatment , but in time , the person may develop problems with the joints , the heart , and the nervous system.

Lyme disease is the most common tick - borne infectious disease in the United states (U.S) . The ticks pick up the bacteria when they bite a mice or deer that are carrying it.

It was first reported in 1977 in a town called old Lyme , CT .

Symptoms : 

Initial signs and symptoms of Lyme disease are usually very mild. Some people may notice any symptoms , or they may think they have flu.

After the initial phase, further symptoms develop.

Symptoms can disappear , but the disease can affect the body in other ways, years later.

Stage 1 : Early Lyme Disease

Erythema migrans (EM) is a rash that often appears in the early stage of Lyme disease , from 3 to 30 days after infection , or 7 days on average.

The rash :

• typically begins as a small red area that expands over several days, to reach a diameter of 12 inches or 30 centimeters.
• may lose its color in the center , giving a bull's eye appearance.
• usually starts at the site of the tick bite but can appear elsewhere as the bacteria spread.
• is not painful or itchy but may feel warm to the touch. 

Stage 2 : Early disseminated Lyme Disease

The rash will disappear after 4 weeks , even without tretament , but other symptoms can emerge days to months after being bitten.

These include :

• meningitis, or inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
• additional rashes
• fever and chills
• swollen lymph nodes
• fatigue
• pain in tendons, muscles, joints and bones
• heart palpitations
• shortness of breath
• nerve pain
• numbness in hands and feet

These symptoms may go away without treatment within a few weeks or months, but in time the person may experience further complications.

Stage 3 : Late disseminated Lyme Disease   

It is also known as late Lyme disease . Symptoms can emerge weeks , months, and even years after initial infection if a patient has not received treatment , or if antibiotic treatment has not been fully effective.

It can involve problems with the nervous system and the heart.

The person may have :

• difficulty concentrating
• sleep and vision problems
• memory loss
• numbness, pain and tingling
• irregular heart beat
• joint pain
• paralysis of the face muscle.

Transmission : 

The Lyme disease causing bacterium enters humans through the bite of an infected black legged tick.

The adult tick or the young nymph bores a tiny hole in the skin and inserts its mouth part into the opening , attaching itself to the host.

Tick tends to attach to hard to see areas of the human body , such as scalp, armpits and groin.

Generally , the tick must remain attached for at least 36 to 48 hours before transmitting the bacterium into a human.

Lyme disease cannot spread between human by touching, kissing or sexual contact.

Dogs and cats can get Lyme disease , but they cannot infect humans. Lyme disease cannot be passed on through the air , food and water.

Treatment :

During the early stage of Lyme disease, treatment with antibiotic medication generally results in a rapid and complete recovery.

In the later stages, especially if the person has arthritis and neurological conditions, intravenous antibiotics, or antibiotic injections, will be necessary.

Prevention :

• be alert for symptoms
• be aware of the risk
• use repellent of the skin, clothing
• treat pets with anti tick treatment
• shower after coming from outside
• ask for pest control regularly