Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacterial organisms that are spread by tick bites. The responsible bacteria are generally known as spirochetes but exist in different species. The affected person complains of a wide range of symptoms that include among bothers, skin lesions, joint pains, and nervous system effects. There are a number of options on how to treat Lyme disease that one may wish to know.
The vector ticks that play a central in the transmission are parasites of deer in many geographical regions of the world. One a human is bitten by these ticks the bacteria are released into the blood stream where they begin to incubate. As a result, the disease typically has two phases; an early brief phase that is localised and a prolonged systemic late phase.
The initial phase of the illness is characterised by flu like illness which lasts for a few days. During this period, the bacteria undergo incubation to produce the second phase of the illness. This phase is more aggressive and may manifest as arthritis, meningitis or cerebral palsy. Clinical history is the main method that is used in making the diagnosis. In a number of cases, there is formation of specific antibodies which can also be used for diagnosis.
Antibodies to the bacteria are detected using a special technique known as ELISA. The use of the antibodies has the downside of giving a number of false positive results. This is because the antibodies remain to circulate in the body. This means that their presence in the body should be treated with caution. The other major challenge to diagnosis is the fact that the symptoms are at times nonspecific and the disease may be misdiagnosed for rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment is mainly through the use of antibiotics. There are numerous antibiotics that are very effective and the choice depends on disease severity and the area of the body that has been affected. Oral drugs have been found to be highly effective for early phase illness while intravenous drugs are useful in the advanced forms of the disease. The most important thing to remember here is that prompt treatment has better outcomes.
Doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime are some of the drugs that are used for early phase treatment. If treated promptly the early phase of the illness resolves in a week or two and usually there are no long term consequences. Doxycycline is, however, contraindicated in expectant women and children under the age of 8. The drugs that are commonly used once complications set in include ceftriaxone ad penicillin G. Unfortunately, no home remedies exist.
Analgesic drugs also have a role to play because of the associated complications. They are particularly useful in managing cases such as arthtris. If the joint swelling is very severe, aspiration of joint fluid may help. It should be pointed out that all treatments should be initiated and monitored by a qualified health professional.
The highest incidence of this illness is found among children aged five to fourteen years and adults aged forty to fifty years. Living in areas infested with the ticks is perhaps the biggest risk factor to contracting the illness. This disease is not contagious and is not cross the placenta.
The vector ticks that play a central in the transmission are parasites of deer in many geographical regions of the world. One a human is bitten by these ticks the bacteria are released into the blood stream where they begin to incubate. As a result, the disease typically has two phases; an early brief phase that is localised and a prolonged systemic late phase.
The initial phase of the illness is characterised by flu like illness which lasts for a few days. During this period, the bacteria undergo incubation to produce the second phase of the illness. This phase is more aggressive and may manifest as arthritis, meningitis or cerebral palsy. Clinical history is the main method that is used in making the diagnosis. In a number of cases, there is formation of specific antibodies which can also be used for diagnosis.
Antibodies to the bacteria are detected using a special technique known as ELISA. The use of the antibodies has the downside of giving a number of false positive results. This is because the antibodies remain to circulate in the body. This means that their presence in the body should be treated with caution. The other major challenge to diagnosis is the fact that the symptoms are at times nonspecific and the disease may be misdiagnosed for rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment is mainly through the use of antibiotics. There are numerous antibiotics that are very effective and the choice depends on disease severity and the area of the body that has been affected. Oral drugs have been found to be highly effective for early phase illness while intravenous drugs are useful in the advanced forms of the disease. The most important thing to remember here is that prompt treatment has better outcomes.
Doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime are some of the drugs that are used for early phase treatment. If treated promptly the early phase of the illness resolves in a week or two and usually there are no long term consequences. Doxycycline is, however, contraindicated in expectant women and children under the age of 8. The drugs that are commonly used once complications set in include ceftriaxone ad penicillin G. Unfortunately, no home remedies exist.
Analgesic drugs also have a role to play because of the associated complications. They are particularly useful in managing cases such as arthtris. If the joint swelling is very severe, aspiration of joint fluid may help. It should be pointed out that all treatments should be initiated and monitored by a qualified health professional.
The highest incidence of this illness is found among children aged five to fourteen years and adults aged forty to fifty years. Living in areas infested with the ticks is perhaps the biggest risk factor to contracting the illness. This disease is not contagious and is not cross the placenta.
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