Proper Name: Borrelia Burgdorferi (in the United States)
Common Name: Lyme Disease
Age of Onset: It can occur at any age.
Duration: With antibiotic treatment, the rash typically lasts for one to two weeks.
Males/Females/Equal: Males and females are equally likely to get lyme disease.
Cause: The bacterial illness lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called a "spirochete." Ticks that live on deer and other animals store the bacteria in their stomachs. When these ticks bite the skin, the bacteria is released, causing lyme disease.
Symptoms:
- redness/rash
- headache
- swollen glands
- fatigue
- muscle stiffness
- joint stiffness
Prognosis (progression of the disease):
- There are 3 phases of lyme disease.
- Early Localized disease: Within the first few days of the bite, the skin around the bite will be surrounded by an unraised ring of redness that will continue to expand. The red rash is often accompanied by virus symptoms such as fatigue, headache, muscle and joint stiffness, and swollen glands.
- Early Disseminated disease: Weeks to months after the initial rash, the bacteria spread throughout the body and heart, joint, and nerve damage can occur. The bacteria enter and can cause inflammation of the heart, leading to an abnormal heart rhythm and heart failure.
- Late disease: If the disease reaches peripheral nerves, Bell's Palsy- facial muscle paralysis- can occur, along with meningitis and inflammation of joints (arthritis).
Treatment Options (Rx): Lyme disease can be treated in the early phases by oral medications such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. Nervous system disease may require drugs such as ceftriaxone. Swollen joints can be reduced by cortisone shots or medications such as ibuprofin or motrin.
http://www.medicinenet.com/lyme_disease/page3.htm
