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Lyme Connecticut has the tentative distinction for the namesake of this particular disease. In the 1970's cases of arthritis in children accumulated around this area. Researchers in the medical field acknowledged the clinical features of Lyme disease and began antibiotic treatment. They concluded that the deer tick was a carrier and eventually found the bacterium that was causing the illness.
This disease can mimic other forms of sickness and can be complicated to diagnose. The researchers found that most of the children with the arthritic like conditions lived around wooded areas invested with deer ticks. The first symptoms would begin in the summer months at the time of year when ticks are most prevalent.
The determined investigations of the researchers found that the very small deer ticks can be infected with a spiral-shaped bacterium or spirochete. This bacterium is named "borrelia burgdorderi" is responsible for the onset of arthritis in Lyme disease.
The infected ticks as a general rule feed and mate on deer. Because we have an increased population of deer and the fact that they now fringe closely to our suburban areas is good reason for the increase of incidents with the condition. According to the NIAID, Lyme disease had been reported in nearly all States in this country.
Symptoms
„h Red rash which starts as a small red spot at the tick bite. This spot will grow larger over a few days or weeks and form a round or oval shaped rash. At times the red circle will surround a clear area and have a red center. The size varies; it can cover a very large area covering the entire back or be as small as a nickel. As the infection spreads, the rash can emerge on other parts of the body. Fever, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, and aching will intermittently accompany the rash. Symptoms are much like viral infections, however they tend to persevere.
„h If not treated with antibiotics half or more will develop symptoms of painful and swollen joints lasting up to several months. The knees are often affected along with painful swollen joints. If untreated NIAID reports that up to twenty percent will go on to develop chronic arthritis.
„h The nervous system can be involved with symptoms of stiff neck, along with extreme headaches (meningitis), Bells palsy, which is a paralysis of facial muscles that is usually temporary. Poor motor coordination, weakness in the arms and legs along with pain. Some memory loss, lack of concentration, changes in mood, and sleeping routines are often noted. Nervous system involvement can show up weeks or even years after infection, which has been untreated.
„h A few, perhaps fewer than one out of ten, will develop heart abnormalities. Irregular heartbeat preceded by dizziness and or shortness of breath. These symptoms would be uncommon if they lasted more than a few days or weeks.
„h Lyme disease may cause inflammation of the eye, and severe fatigue although these problems will not likely be present without the presence of other Lyme disease symptoms.
Treatment
A round of specific antibiotics is very effective in treating Lyme disease. The treatment should be started as soon as possible after infection for quick rebounding from the illness. Lyme arthritis clears up in most patients in a few weeks or perhaps months after antibiotic therapy. This is dependent upon how long the disease has been active, in some stubborn cases Lyme disease may have caused damage to the joints that cannot be cured.
Following treatment, some may experience aching in the muscles, and neurologic symptoms with memory, concentration, and extreme tiredness. Unfortunately the disease can reoccur more than one time when re-infected.
Prevention
„h Avoid ticks! People are mostly infected in summer months.
„h Avoid wooded areas and where deer have been seen often. Shaded grasslands also harbor deer and deer ticks. If in these areas, walk in well-worn paths and avoid overhanging limbs and brush.
„h Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and they should fit snugly at the ankles and wrists. Wear a hat, and shoes that expose no skin. Light colored clothing will make it easier to see the ticks before they bite.
„h Spray clothing with insect repellents, some can be applied directly to the skin. There are side effects to these insecticides, so consider the risks carefully.
„h Pregnant women should be very careful to avoid Lyme disease. The disease can be transferred to the unborn child.
Removing a tick
Check yourself and children along with pets after possible exposure to ticks. If you find a tick is attached to your skin, pull it out very gently with tweezers; do not squeeze the tick. Apply an antiseptic to the bite area, making sure the antiseptic is throughly penetrated into the wound. NIH researchers have said that a tick must be attached for at least 48 hours to transmit the Lyme disease bacterium, which behooves anyone to check carefully and remove any ticks promptly.
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