Papers On Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is a bacteria infection caused by the bacterium Barrelia burdorferi. “Lyme Disease is the most common arthropod borne illness found in the United States seen throughout America and in more than 60 countries worldwide.” [Nursing made Incredibly Easy!] Lyme Disease is transmitted by the western black legged tick, black legged tick or the deer tick. ‘In many cases, Lyme Disease is transmitted by ticks in the nymph stage because they're very small and much harder to detect than an adult ticks.” Ticks can be as small as 2mm which is why it is difficult to see them. When in the nymph stage the bite is not felt making it harder to detect. An adult is much bigger and usually is felt before they even get a chance to transmit the bacteria.

Early signs and symptoms include, erythema, migraines, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, a rash with the appearance of a “bulls eye”, muscle and joint aches. If Lyme Disease is not diagnosed and treated early the bacteria can go into hiding in the body making it harder to treat. The patients can develop complications such as inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, vision changes, nerve pain, memory loss, facial palsy, arthritis and cardiac issues.

Patients are usually treated with oral antibiotics. “Antibiotics can cure most cases of Lyme Disease. The sooner treatment begins, the quicker and more complete the recovery.” Early treatment is important. “The antibiotic that are commonly used include doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. Patients with certain neurological or cardiac forms of illness may require intravenous treatment with drugs such as eftriaxone or penicillin.