Understanding How To Treat Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacterial organisms that are spread by tick bites. The responsible bacteria are generally known as spirochetes but exist in different species. The affected person complains of a wide range of symptoms that include among bothers, skin lesions, joint pains, and nervous system effects. There are a number of options on how to treat Lyme disease that one may wish to know.
The causative bacteria are transmitted by ticks living on deer as parasites. A bite from the tick introduces bacteria into the blood stream. This gives rise to the first phase of the illness. The organisms incubate for a brief period of days or weeks before giving rise to the full blown illness, the second phase. The rate of progression depends on the amount of bacteria released during the bite.
During the first phase, there is flu like illness a few days after being bitten. The second phase follows an incubation period of about two weeks. More advanced conditions may manifest as meningitis, cerebral palsy or arthritis. In the long term, some persons have been found to be extraordinarily anxious and depressed. To diagnose the illness there is need to corroborate the history with the appearance of specific antibodies in the blood.
A special technique, ELISA, is used in the detection of the antibodies. It is important to remember that antibodies may be detected in blood in the absence of an illness. They tend to remain in the blood stream even when the patient has been treated and cured. Interpretation of a positive result should therefore be treated with a lot of caution. The nonspecific nature of the illness is another major challenge as it resembles other diseases.
The treatment of this illness is mainly by use of antibiotics. There are many types of antibiotics that are used with the choice being determined by the severity and area of body involved. Oral drugs are good enough for the early disease. Intravenous drugs, on the other hand, are preferred when treating more advanced disease. Treatment that is started early gives better outcomes.
Some of the oral antibiotics that are used for this purpose include doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime. They are very effective for the early disease especially when started in good time. Doxycycline is, however, unsafe for pregnant women and young children and is not used for these groups. The commonly used antibiotics include penicillin G and ceftriaxone. They are most effective for second phase of illness.
Supportive management is also necessary due to the many associated complications. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents are often part of treatment. For very severe joint pain, aspiration of synovial fluid from the affected joints is helpful. It is important to seek the opinion of a qualified health expert before starting treatment.
Research has established that this illness has the highest incidence among children 5 to 14 years. Another peak is at 40 to 50 years among adults. The biggest risk factor to contracting this illness is living in an area with tick infested deer. Fortunately, transmission does not occur through contact or across the placenta.
The causative bacteria are transmitted by ticks living on deer as parasites. A bite from the tick introduces bacteria into the blood stream. This gives rise to the first phase of the illness. The organisms incubate for a brief period of days or weeks before giving rise to the full blown illness, the second phase. The rate of progression depends on the amount of bacteria released during the bite.
During the first phase, there is flu like illness a few days after being bitten. The second phase follows an incubation period of about two weeks. More advanced conditions may manifest as meningitis, cerebral palsy or arthritis. In the long term, some persons have been found to be extraordinarily anxious and depressed. To diagnose the illness there is need to corroborate the history with the appearance of specific antibodies in the blood.
A special technique, ELISA, is used in the detection of the antibodies. It is important to remember that antibodies may be detected in blood in the absence of an illness. They tend to remain in the blood stream even when the patient has been treated and cured. Interpretation of a positive result should therefore be treated with a lot of caution. The nonspecific nature of the illness is another major challenge as it resembles other diseases.
The treatment of this illness is mainly by use of antibiotics. There are many types of antibiotics that are used with the choice being determined by the severity and area of body involved. Oral drugs are good enough for the early disease. Intravenous drugs, on the other hand, are preferred when treating more advanced disease. Treatment that is started early gives better outcomes.
Some of the oral antibiotics that are used for this purpose include doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime. They are very effective for the early disease especially when started in good time. Doxycycline is, however, unsafe for pregnant women and young children and is not used for these groups. The commonly used antibiotics include penicillin G and ceftriaxone. They are most effective for second phase of illness.
Supportive management is also necessary due to the many associated complications. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents are often part of treatment. For very severe joint pain, aspiration of synovial fluid from the affected joints is helpful. It is important to seek the opinion of a qualified health expert before starting treatment.
Research has established that this illness has the highest incidence among children 5 to 14 years. Another peak is at 40 to 50 years among adults. The biggest risk factor to contracting this illness is living in an area with tick infested deer. Fortunately, transmission does not occur through contact or across the placenta.
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