Introduction: Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, is caused by the bacteria “Borrelia burgdorferi”. It’s the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. This disease is not only prevalent in the US but also common in Europe, south central and southeastern Canada.
(1) Symptoms of Lyme Disease
The symptoms of Lyme disease vary and usually appear in stages, but these stages can overlap.
(2) Early Stage Symptoms
Many people with early-stage Lyme disease develop a distinctive circular rash at the site of the tick bite, usually around three to 30 days after being bitten. This rash, known as erythema migrans, often looks like a bull’s-eye on a dartboard. Other early symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and muscle aches.
(3) Late Stage Symptoms
If untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more serious symptoms. These may include numbness in hands and legs, arthritis, short-term memory loss and even neurological problems like meningitis.
(4) Causes and Risk Factors
Lyme disease is predominantly caused by *Borrelia burgdorferi* and *Borrelia mayonii* bacteria, carried primarily by certain species of ticks. People who spend more time outdoors, particularly in wooded or grassy areas, are at a higher risk. Not removing ticks immediately can also increase the risk.
(5) Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis involves medical history, physical examination and certain tests to rule out other disease conditions. The Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects the presence of antibodies to *B. Burgdorferi* in the blood. The Western blot test is used to confirm the ELISA diagnosis.
Treatment for Lyme disease primarily includes antibiotics. Early stages of Lyme disease are treated with oral antibiotics like Doxycycline, Amoxicillin and Tetracycline. For people whose central nervous system is affected by Lyme disease, intravenous antibiotics like Ceftriaxone and Penicillin are prescribed.
(6) Prevention
There is no vaccine available to prevent Lyme disease. The best way to prevent the condition is to be aware of the risks when you visit areas where ticks are found and to quickly remove ticks when bitten. Wearing long pants, monitoring children and pets, using insect repellents and making the surroundings unfriendly for ticks to grow are some of the precautionary measures that may help avoid infection.
(7) Can Lyme disease kill a person: Deaths from Lyme disease are extremely rare. A condition called Lyme carditis, which can develop from Lyme disease and interrupt the usual electrical functioning of the heart, occurs in about 1–10 out of every 100 cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11 fatal cases of Lyme carditis occurred worldwide between 1985 and 2019.
Most people who get Lyme disease and receive treatment early will be fine. Treatment can cure Lyme disease but you might still have some long-term effects. Untreated Lyme disease may contribute to other serious problems but it’s rarely fatal.
Conclusion: Lyme disease is a serious condition that can lead to severe health problems if left untreated. Awareness about its symptoms, causes and prevention methods is crucial. If you suspect you have Lyme disease, seek medical attention immediately. ##