Lyme Disease - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that features a skin rash, swollen joints and flu-like symptoms. Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease characterized by a skin rash, joint inflammation, and flu-like symptoms, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by the bite of a deer tick.

Although cases have been reported in almost every state, the disease remains heavily concentrated in three main areas: the Northeast, upper Midwest and northern California. Lyme disease can cause abnormalities in the skin, joints, heart and nervous system. The is growing concern that Dermacentor variabilis (the American dog tick) may also be capable of transmitting the disease. These spirochetes are maintained in nature in the bodies of wild animals and is transmitted from one animal to another through the bite of an infective tick .

Causes of Lyme Disease

Common causes and risk factor's of Lyme disease include the following :

• A bacterium called a" Borrelia burgdorferi ."
• Risk factors for Lyme disease include walking in high grasses, other activities that increase tick exposure, and having a pet that may carry ticks home.
• Another bacterium, Borrelia afzelii, also causes Lyme disease.
• Having exposed skin.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Lyme Diseaseare as follows :

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Lethargy.
• Muscle pains.
• Stiff neck.
• Night sweats.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Short-term memory loss.

Treatment of Lyme Disease

Find effective treatment methods of treating Lyme Disease :

• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, are sometimes prescribed to relieve joint stiffness .
• Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.
• Prompt treatment with drugs, such as tetracycline, can quickly clear up the early symptoms and prevent serious complications.
• Oral doxycycline (eg Vibramycin) (except in children), amoxicillin (eg Amoxil) or cephalosporin antibiotics are the usual first choices.
• Persons with certain neurological or cardiac forms of illness may require intravenous treatment with penicillin or ceftriaxone.