Transmission of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a tick-borne ailment that can cause a variety of symptoms. It can affect multiple parts of the body, and not everyone infected with Lyme disease experiences the same symptoms. People who are more likely to be infected are those who live or spend a lot of time in heavily wooded areas, where the presence of ticks is more predominant. The following article will discuss Lyme disease, including its symptoms and method of transmission.

Description

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi that is carried primarily by blacklegged (deer) ticks. These ticks are arthropods that range in size from approximately the size of a sesame seed to much larger when it has been feeding on blood. Lyme disease is considered the predominant arthropod- transmitted disease in the United States. There are many different species of ticks, but the blacklegged tick is the only one that has been known to spread Lyme disease.

Transmission

Ticks feed on the blood of animals, including humans. When they are young, blacklegged ticks feed on small animals such as mice and squirrels, which carry the Borrelia burgdorferi. Then, the ticks spread the bacteria to other animals, such as deer and dogs. When a human is bitten by an infected tick,he or she is at risk for Lyme disease. Ticks will typically feed for long periods of time--up to 48 hours-- until they are engorged with blood to many times it's normal size. The longer the tick is attached and feeding, the higher the risk for Lyme disease becomes.

Symptoms

The first indication of Lyme disease infection is a rash, usually in the area where the person has been bitten by the tick. The rash has a target-like look, with a red ring around a clear area of skin, with a dot in the center. The center dot is usually the scene of the bite. Symptoms also include fever, chills and headaches. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause swollen joints, usually in the knees. In severe cases, meningitis, or swelling of the brain, can occur.

Treatment

Lyme disease in its early stage is often treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime. For treatment of Lyme disease is in mid-stages, doctors may recommend intravenous, or IV, therapy. In some cases, reports of diarrhea and gallstones have occurred in patients being treated for Lyme disease with IV therapy. There is an alternative medication, bismacine, that some holistic practitioners have used for treatment. However, bismacine is not recommended because it contains metal bismuth, which can cause kidney failure. Make sure to talk to your doctor about how to proceed.

Prevention

If you live near a forest where deer ticks are predominant, covering your skin is essential in keeping ticks away. That means wearing long sleeves, and avoid wearing shorts while hiking or camping. Ticks can often attach themselves to dogs, so keeping your dog on a leash while walking through wooded areas is a good idea. Also, using bug spray with the chemical DEET will help repel ticks. Checking for ticks after camping or hiking also can help; the earlier you remove a tick from feeding, the less chance you have of contracting Lyme disease.