Lyme Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a tick bite from an infected tick. The disorder might result in joint pain. Antibiotics are taken to treat Lyme disease. While the early symptoms of the disease are well-known, many people are unaware of Lyme disease long term symptoms that can persist even after treatment. In this blog, we will explore the various long-term symptoms of Lyme disease and discuss the possible treatment and preventive measures.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that may be caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. burgdorferi is spread to humans by biting an infected black-legged or deer tick. While feeding on diseased deer, birds, or mice, the tick gets infected.A tick must be present on the skin for 36 to 48 hours to spread the disease. Many Lyme disease patients have no recollection of being bitten by a tick. People living or spending time in woodland areas notorious for disease transmission are more prone to get this sickness. People who have domesticated animals and visit woodland places are at higher risk of contracting Lyme disease.

What are the different stages of Lyme disease?

Lyme disease can progress in stages, overlapping and creating symptoms involving the skin, joints, heart, or brain system. These are the stages:

• Lyme disease with early localization (1 week to four).
• Lyme illness that has spread early (1 month through 4).
• Late persistent Lyme disease, late disseminated Lyme disease, or simply late Lyme disease (after 4 months, even up to 4 years)

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What are the lyme disease long term symptoms?

For those who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease, it is important to be aware of the potential lyme disease long term symptoms that may arise and to take the necessary steps to manage them. Erythema migraine is a red rash or skin condition (EM). The rash appears as a little red area at the location of the bite or scratches one week to 4 weeks after the edge. The spot grows over days or weeks to produce a circular, triangular, or oval-shaped rash.Since it occurs as just a red ring surrounding a clear offer the following, the rash may resemble a bull's eye. The rash might depend from small to large on the width of a person's back.As the infection spreads, multiple EM rashes (lesions) may emerge at various locations on your body.

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Stiff neck.
• Aches and pains throughout the body and joints.
• Fatigue.
• Lymph nodes are swollen (swollen glands).

Signs and symptoms of stage 2 of Lyme disease. 

Following are a few Lyme disease long term symptoms that necessitate proper medical assistance : 

• Rashes in several places.
• Bell's palsy is a facial muscle paralysis.
• A heart block is a disruption in the heart's electrical system.
• Numbness or strange sensations.

Symptoms of untreated late Lyme disease, which can occur months to a year after infection:

• Recurrent instances of joint swelling (arthritis). This usually affects big joints, such as the knee.
• Concentration problems, sometimes known as "brain fog." This is a type of encephalopathy or brain injury.
• Nerve damage throughout your body involves your skin, muscle, and organs.

What is the Treatment for Lyme illness?

Lyme disease is effectively treated while it is in its early stages. Early localized disease is treated with straightforward 10 to 14-day oral antibiotics to remove the infection.The treatments used to treat Lyme disease are:

• First-line therapies for adults and children include doxycycline, amoxicillin, and cefuroxime.
• Cefuroxime and amoxicillin are antibiotics used to treat breastfeeding women.
• Some forms of Lyme disease, notably those involving the heart or the central nervous system (CNS), require intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

Following improvement and completion of the duration of therapy, healthcare practitioners will often transition to an oral regime. The entire course of treatment typically lasts 14 to 28 days. Also, Read How Much Water to Drink to Flush out Yeast Infection?

Is it possible to prevent Lyme disease?

Most Lyme disease cases occur in spring, summer, and early fall when young ticks are out eating. Tick bites are uncommon in warm climates during the winter months.Ticks on deer are more typically found in woodland regions and surrounding pastures. They're especially frequent where the two environments meet, such as in residential yards where deer roam. Ticks cannot thrive on sunny lawns for long. They immediately dry out and die. However, only around 1% of all deer ticks carry the Lyme illness bacteria; there are some locations where more than 50% of the ticks do. The infected ticks are commonly found in the Northeastern and upper Midwest of the United States. Ticks can also be found along the coast.Other than deer, black-legged ticks can contract the virus. Mice, voles, and some squirrels can carry bacteria.

Is Lyme disease contagious?

There is no solid proof that Lyme disease spreads among humans. Furthermore, according to the CDC, there have been no records of Lyme disease being transferred through breast milk. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by black-legged deer ticks. These bacteria can be found in human fluids, yet there is no proof that Lyme disease may be spread by coughing, sneezing, or kissing.There is also no indication suggesting Lyme disease can be spread sexually or through blood transfusions.

How can I avoid tick bites?

The tips that follow can assist you in avoiding tick bites:

• Spray permethrin, a pesticide usually located in garden and lawn stores, on your clothing to deter ticks. DEET-containing insect repellents may also be used on the cloth or your skin. 
• Take your time reading the labels. Use it sparingly. Too much of anything can be bad.
• To avoid ticks from hanging grass and vegetation, walk in the center of the trails.
• After engaging in outdoor activities in an "at risk" location, always perform a tick check before showering and washing with a washcloth.
• Put your clothes in the dryer for 15 minutes to get rid of any ticks. This will destroy any ticks attached to the garments by washing them out.
• Ticks can enter your home through your pets. Consult your veterinarian about tick prevention for your pet.

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What is the prognosis for someone suffering from Lyme disease?

Most persons who contract Lyme disease and seek care promptly will be well. Although treatments may cure Lyme disease, there may be some long-term repercussions. Untreated Lyme disease can lead to more significant issues but is rarely fatal.

Lyme disease syndrome after treatment.

Even after receiving the correct treatment, some persons (5% to 15%) may endure persistent weariness, achiness, or headaches. This is referred to as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Symptoms do not indicate that you are still infected. Additional antibiotics are unlikely to help PTLDS. Most persons in this category will experience symptoms that will subside during the next 6 months.

Lyme disease is a chronic infection.

Prolonged Lyme disease is a phrase used by some people to describe a situation in which a person has Lyme disease and the signs of PTLDS. Some people believe that chronic Lyme disease and PTLDS are the same things. However, some persons are diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease without first being diagnosed with Lyme disease. Longer antibiotic treatment may occasionally be beneficial.This word may be why some individuals believe they can get Lyme disease without even being bitten by a tick. There is insufficient evidence that mosquitoes can spread Lyme disease. Many scientists detest the term "chronic Lyme illness."

Is Lyme illness fully curable?

Oral medicines usually treat Lyme illness in approximately 2 to 4 weeks. For the next four weeks, you may need to receive antibiotics through a vein (intravenously). Therefore, there's no reason to believe that Lyme disease will remain in your body following therapy.

Conclusion -

Lyme disease is often Referred to as "The Great Imitator" due to its ability to mimic the symptoms of other illnesses, leading to difficulty in accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, Lyme disease's long-term symptoms can vary greatly from individual to individual and change over time, making it hard for patients to receive proper treatment and care.Whether you're planning to be in an area where ticks may be present, take precautions to prevent being bitten. This involves wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts to make tick bites more difficult. Schedule a consultation with your healthcare practitioner if you become ill after visiting an area where ticks are likely to present. If our doctor recommends medicines, take them all as directed.