Erythema migrans (EM) is a red, slowly expanding rash which is associated with the bite of ticks. European physicians observed EM in patients in the early 20th century and theorized that it was caused by a tick-borne bacterium. Later the in the 1970’s a physican observed a clusters of child with arthritis in and around Lyme, Conneticut. After further investigation it was discovered that the arthritis occurred subsequent to the presence of tick bites followed through with EM rash lesions. It was not until 1984 when conclusive evidence showed that the bacterium spirochete Berrelia burgdorferi caused Lyme disease. In 2002 Lyme disease caused more than 23, 000 infections in the United States (1) .
Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium spirochete B. burgdorferi that transmitts the bacterium to humans through the bites of western black-legged deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). This tick is much smaller than a dog or cattle tick and feed by inserting their mouths into the skin of a host and slowly receive their vital fluid (1). Early localized Lyme disease occurs 3-30 days after the tick bites. Symptoms include EM, mild muslce aches, fever, headache, and lymphadenopathy. Early disseminated disease occurs 1-4 months subsequent to the tick bite. Symptoms include cranial-nerve facial palsy, meningitis, radiculopathy, and heart block. In the late platform of the disease which begins 3-4 months after the tick bite. Symptoms include arthirits in big joints, rigid headache, encephalitis and cognitive disorders. Early localized Lyme disease is treated with doxycycline or amoxicillin for 14-21 days. Early disseminated and late Lyme disorder are treated for 14-28 days with either oral or parental therapy (ceft...
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...ible through seasonal feeding activity of nymphal I. scapularis and the increase of outdoor activities tribe engage in during these months (4).
In 2002 there were a total of 23,763 reported cases of Lyme disease, more than any previous year (2). Similar to previous years, the highest incidence rates occurred in northeastern, mid-Atlanatic and north central states. The largest proportion of cases were reported among ages 5-14 years and 50-59 years. Factors influences this grow in reported cases include a growing deer population, increased residential development of wodded areas, tick dispersal to new areas, improved disorder remembrance in areas where Lyme disease is endemic, and enhanced reporting (2). The NETSS system is weighty because it helps determinine who is at risk and where the highest incidence rates are that need targeted preventative measures.
On December 15, the patient comes in for his check up. The physician tells the patient his blood test was positive for Lyme and prescribes the patient antibiotics. However the patient now tells the doctor that he is still experiencing the weakness and fatigue even after the doctor’s advice. He also says he is having slight trouble swallowing foods and speech has become slurred and nasally at times. Due to the patients broad range of symptoms, the physician suggests the patient either get an electromyography o...
Lyme borreliosis is caused from the bacterial spirochete B. burgdorferi (“A History of Lyme”). It is a zoonotic disease carried by vectors and transmitted biologically (Tortora, Funke, and Case, 410). Lyme borreliosis has diverse symptoms, from a rash to neurological problems (Tortora, Funke, and Case, 651). The recommended treatment is antibiotics, but even with treatment some people still experience post treatment lyme disease syndrome (CDC). It is an Emerging Infectious Disease and is endemic in areas of the United States (CDC).
Erythema multiform (EM), originally described by von Hebra in 1866, was part of the differential diagnosis in both cases but was excluded because of the "character of skin lesions, the lack of subjective symptoms, the prolonged high fever, and the terminal heavy crusting." Despite the presence of leukopenia in both cases, Stevens and Johnson in their initial report suspected an infectious disease of unknown etiology as the cause (Hazin, Ibrahimi, Hazin & Kimyai-Asadi, 2008).
In 1958, their population was approximately 40,000. The pursuant gatherers of Mbuti people are separated into several subgroups. They lived within their individual region, where they have their own languages and engage in their hunting practices. Each Mbuti subgroup uses a language of a nearest person and they do not have a text method. Their sizes are usually small and average; they also have naturally brown skin and churlish hairs. Mbuti persons exist in bands of 15 to 60. They live in hot, sticky and plentiful precipitation forest which is sprinkled with lakes and rivers. It also has a wealthy variety of flowers and animals. The Mbuti have exte...
Lyme disease is one of the seven most common diseases reported in the United States to the CDC annually (www.cdc.gov). The rates have gone from 10,000 cases in 1992 to over 30,000 cases in 2009. 95% of these cases were found in the northeast and Midwest regions of the United States (Committee on Lyme Disease, 2011) . More cases happen in this area of the country due to the close proximity of deer to population. The bite itself isn’t the problem, rather the pathogen being spread in mammals from the bite. Lyme disease occurs when a tick penetrates the skin of mammals and the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi enters. Borrelia burgdorferi is carried by ticks named the Ixodes dammini, which is the main vector for Lyme disease. These may also be known as I. scapularis, and may be found on deer (Schilling-McCann, 2010). ¬¬¬In addition to Lyme Disease, ticks may also carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Tularemia (Smeltzer et al, 2010).
This disease has many symptoms. These symptoms are similar or same to many other illnesses. That is the reason why many doctors get confused when they were researching this disease. There are three stages of symptoms for the disease. In the first stage, the Erythema Migrans, a bull’s eye rash might appear on the bitten area. In the second stage, the Disseminated Lyme Disease, you may experience a fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, muscle ache, and general malaise. In the third stage, the Chronic Lyme Disease, you may experience aching joints.
Lyme Disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States as well as Europe. While Lyme disease is not found in all areas of the United States, it was the seventh most common notifiable disease in the year 2012 (CDC). Not only is the number of Lyme Disease cases rising, but 95% of the confirmed cases are from only thirteen states, these states being Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin (CDC). Lyme Disease is a growing problem in the Northeast and Midwest United States, and the public should have a basic knowledge on the disease, and how it can be prevented to decrease the Lyme Disease cases worldwide.
It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick (CDC). Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, and skin rash. If left untreated or not treated properly with antibiotics, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system (CDC). Diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on symptoms and possibility of exposure to an infected tick. Most patients with Lyme disease are cured with antibiotics within a few weeks. Currently, no vaccine is available to protect against Lyme disease, but preventative measures can be taken to reduce the risk of infection such as repellent, checking for ticks, removing ticks properly and wearing the proper clothing when outside
Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and thought to be caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, but scientists have discovered another bacterium, Borrelia mayonii is also causing this disease and the symptoms are far worse than its predecessor. Borrelia Mayonii is carried by the black-legged deer tick, according to the Daily Cardinal.
Some of the children treated reported having been bit by a tick before the rash develop. By the mid 1970’s researchers had named this new disease Lyme disease and began describing the signs and symptoms in order to help physicians diagnosing patients. Still, it was not until 1981 when a researcher from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) at the Rocky
Symptoms of the disease begin to occur shortly after being bitten. A chancre forms around where the person has been bitten and soon the parasite enters the lymphatic system. The immune response it triggers in the immune system causes the lymph nodes to swell especially on the necks. The severe swelling of the lymph nodes on the dorsal side of the neck is known as Winterbottom’s sign, and is a tell-tale sign of sleeping sickness. The parasite soon finds its way into the blood stream after invading the lymphatic system. From the bloodstream, the parasite is free to travel and harm any organ and cause damage all throughout the body. The parasite targets smooth and skeletal muscle and is often fatal because of the damage it causes to cardiac muscle. The disease begins to wreak havoc on the nervous system when the parasite enters the brain which constitutes stage II trypanosomiasis. The person’s sleep cycles are disrupted, and fatigue, insomnia, and confusion...
Early signs of symptoms are fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymp nodes. Don’t these symptoms resemble the seasonal flu? Which is why it’s extremely important to have your doctor check for Lyme disease when other illnesses are ruled out. If not the disease will worsen over time and a person can experience severe headaches, EM rashes all over body, severe joint pain and swelling, facial palsy, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, inflammation of the brain, nerve pain, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet and problems with short term
The symptoms of Lyme Disease are vast. The first, most prominent, symptom is the bull’s eye rash. It essentially looks like a big red circle, encircling the site of the tick bite. Other symptoms include but are not limited to fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, chills and joint
Lee, Richard Borshay. “Eating Christmas in the Kalahari.” Natural History. December 1969. pp 11-15. Natural History Magazine, Inc. 1969.