Most common tick/insect-borne disease in the U.S.
A disease that can cause skin, joint, heart and nervous system problems.
Lyme disease can affect people of all ages.
Named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut where it was first described in 1976.
What causes Lyme disease?
Caused by a specialized type of bacteria called spirochete.
Transmitted by the bite of an infected tick or flea. Other insects that feed on animal blood may be involved.
Signs and Symptoms
Two stages of Lyme disease:
Stage 1 (Early stage) – 3 to 30 days after bite.
Flu-like symptoms develop within 7 – 14 days.
Symptoms include fatigue, headache, fever and chills, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and, a non-productive cough.
Skin lesion(s) may appear as a small red circular rash around the bite and expand.
Secondary skin rashes appear in nearly 80% of individuals with Lyme disease.
Stage II (Late) – May occur weeks or months after the onset of Lyme disease.
Severe headache and neck pain or stiffness.
Arthritis will develop in 60% of patients weeks or months after infection (rarely more than 2 years).
Fifteen percent of people infected with Lyme disease develop neurological symptoms, including psychiatric problems.
Treatment :
The following are some of the latest treatments for lyme disease "Lassa fever":
Patient isolation
Oxygen
Cardiac monitors
Antimalarial regimens
Ribavirin
Transfusion
Vaccines
Zidampidine
