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Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an infectious tick-borne disease, caused by the Borrelia spirochete, a gram-negative microorganism. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks.

symptoms of lyme disease

Lyme Disease symptoms are many, but skin symptoms, arthritis and various neurological symptoms are usually present.

acute "early" symptoms of lyme symptoms

  • "bull's-eye" rash (erythema migrans - a circle or ring of inflamed skin surrounding the initial tick bite) or papular/raised rash.
  • fever
  • malaise
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • muscle and joint aches
  • sore throat
  • sinus infection
  • paralysis - usually associated with Lyme meningitis or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

The incubation period from infection to the onset of symptoms is usually 1-2 weeks, but can be as long as one month. However, it is possible for an infected person to display no symptoms, or display only one or two symptoms, which can make diagnosis difficult.

chronic "late" symptoms of lyme disease

  • meningitis
  • neuropathy - numbness, tingling, burning
  • muscle and joint aches
  • tremor, twitches
  • Bell's palsy
  • pain
  • immune supression
  • myalgia
  • fatigue
  • hallucinations
  • short-term memory loss

The late symptoms of Lyme disease can appear months to years from infection. Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause chronic disability, but is rarely fatal. Chronic cases have been known to linger for years before a definitive diagnosis.

Lyme Disease has been misdiagnosed as Chronic-Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis and a host of other autoimmune and neurological diseases.

Cause of lyme disease

It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia, which has well over a hundred known genomic strains but is usually cultured as Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii and Borellia garinii.

The disease has been found to be transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks. Not all ticks carry or can transmit the disease.

Lyme disease also incoporates the transmissions of tick borne co-infections including Bartonella, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Rickettsia.

lyme disease treatement

Treatment of Lyme disease usually consists of a minimum one month course of antibiotics, preferably doxycycline.

Patients with coinfections may need prolonged treatment to recover or go into remission.

With the chronic late-stage form of the disease, it may be necessary to continue antibiotic treatment for months or years. In some cases immunomodulating drugs are necessary.

Posted by Staff at May 28, 2005 12:40 AM

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Comments Archive

My huband had lyme disease and went into remission. He is now experiencing several symptoms 3 years later.

Posted by: Gayle Roy at September 5, 2005 12:45 AM

Could this disease be missed and later cause idiopathic neuropathy?

Posted by: Pat at February 2, 2006 9:36 PM

My partner is beating Lyme using the Dr. Cowden protocol utilizing Nutramedix products, Migun bed and diet support.

She was symptom free within six months of diagnoses. You can learn more at http://www.lyme-disease-research-database.com

Posted by: Ev Land at September 18, 2006 10:51 PM