Lyme Disease

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme Disease (LD) is a multi-stage, multi-system bacterial infection most commonly spread by a tick bite.

What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

For about 70 to 80 percent of people, the first symptom is a red rash that:

• Can appear three to 30 days after infection, or not at all.
• Can last up to several weeks.
• Can be very small or very large (up to 12 inches across) and resemble a bulls-eye.
• Can mimic such skin problems as hives, eczema, sunburn, poison ivy, flea bites.
• Can itch or feel hot, or may not be felt at all.
• Can disappear and return several weeks later.

Several days or weeks after a bite from an infected tick, a patient usually experiences flu-like symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Aches and pains in muscles and joints
• Low-grade fever and chills
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite
• Swollen glands

After several months, arthritis-like symptoms may develop, including painful and swollen joints.

Other possible symptoms may include:Neurological symptoms

• Heart problems
• Skin disorders
• Eye problems
• Hepatitis
• Severe fatigue
• Limb weakness
• Poor motor coordination

Some people may develop post-Lyme Disease syndrome (PLDS), a condition also known as chronic Lyme Disease, characterized by persistent musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve pain, fatigue and memory impairment.

How is Lyme Disease Treated?

Lyme Disease is usually treated with antibiotics. If diagnosed at an early stage, treatment antibiotics are usually given for 3 weeks.