Lyme disease: symptoms, causes, and treatment

There are a large number of diseases that can affect us to a greater or lesser extent. Many of them are caused by bacterial or viral infections, infections that can appear for different reasons. Some of them are caused by the stings or bites of other living beings, such as insects. This is what happens with Lyme disease, which we are going to talk about throughout this article.

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Lyme disease: basic symptoms

Relatively common in the Northern Hemisphere, Lyme disease is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of some species of ticks. Is about a disease of bacterial origin, which can evolve through various stages. We are also facing an old acquaintance of humanity: there are vestiges of its existence even in prehistory, although the first cases documented as such are from the last century.

This alteration can appear at any age and in any sex, and these variables are not determining factors when it comes to getting sick or not. Generally, it is more likely to appear in those people who are frequently outdoors in areas where the usual hosts of these ticks live.

The most prominent symptoms of this disorder are the presence of an erythema in the area of ​​the bite, which can spread (often called erythema migrans), along with typical flu symptoms. The presence of nausea, conjunctivitis, headache, feeling of fatigue and muscle stiffness are relatively frequent.

If the disease progresses arthritis, loss of muscle tone, facial paralysis, tremors can come, increased tension, memory problems and even respiratory problems that could lead to the stop of this function. It can also affect the brain in the form of neuroborreliosis, generating paralysis and meningitis, and even psychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations.

However, some people may develop a chronic phase of the disease, especially if it has not been treated or has not been detected in time. Although some deaths derived from it have been described (for example due to cardiorespiratory arrest), the death of the subject due to Lyme disease is not common.

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Causes

The origin of this disease is found in the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (in fact, Lyme disease is also known as borreliosis) which is introduced into the body by the bite of some species of ticks (although other insects could transmit it, such as mosquitoes and fleas), being very frequently transmitted by ticks of the genus Ixodes.

These ticks are common on rodents, horses, and deer. Humans are not usually a host for these beings, but accidental exposure to these insects can cause a sting. Despite this, not all ticks of this genus transmit the bacteria previously mentioned, causing Lyme disease only those that are infected by it. Although this article primarily explores the disease and symptoms caused in humans, it can affect other animals and pets as well.

In order to spread the bacteria and cause Lyme disease, it is estimated that the tick must adhere to the skin for between one and two days, although its small size can make it difficult to know how long it has remained in the body because it cannot locate it.

Lyme disease is not contagious between people: It is not spread through physical contact, breathing, or sexuality. Those who suffer from it cannot transmit it unless a tick infected with the bacteria passes from its carrier to another. For example, if a dog has the disease he will not infect his keeper per se, although he may have attached ticks that could.

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Stages of the disease

As we have mentioned, Lyme disease can go through a series of stages in which different symptoms can appear and disappear. From the bite to the appearance of symptoms, weeks can elapse, although it is common for the latter to appear between a few days and a week after the bite. Specifically, the following phases stand out.

1. Localized early infection

In this stage, erythema migrans usually appear around the tick bite, which can cause itching and other altered sensations on the skin. In general, no more symptoms appear. Sometimes discomfort and bluish lymphocytomas also appear in areas such as the ears.

2. Early disseminated infection

The bacteria have penetrated and spread throughout the body, being able to generate other skin lesions in areas other than the bite, along with fatigue and muscle aches. Some more serious symptoms can be the appearance of arrhythmias and cardiac alterations. It is at this stage that neurological problems tend to appear. such as meningitis, paralysis or hallucinations.

3. Late infection

After several months of untreated infection, joint problems usually develop (in fact one of the first denominations of this disease is that of Lyme arthritis) that can become permanent. Problems such as memory loss also often appear and alterations in the level of consciousness, and could appear encephalitis.

Treatment

Lyme disease generally has an effective diagnosis and treatment that usually end with the complete recovery of the patient.

The first element to take into account is the possibility that the tick that has transmitted the bacteria or its stinger still remains in the subject's body. A first step to follow is removal of the arachnid from the body using hooks or tweezers, as well as disinfection of the area. If a bite is identified, observation of the patient for at least one month is recommended to check whether or not symptoms arise.

Subsequently, different antibiotics will be applied depending on the characteristics of the patient, the evolution of the disease and the symptoms. This treatment usually cures the disease over a period of several weeks, although residual symptoms can sometimes appear. In cases where this disease becomes chronic, it may be necessary to apply a more continuous antibiotic treatment program over time.

Pain relievers may also be applied to combat possible muscle pain or other drugs to control fever and other symptoms that appear during the condition.

Bibliographic references:

• Herrera, O.; Infante, J.; Ramírez, R. & Lavastida, H. (2012). Lyme disease: history, microbiology, epizootiology, and epidemiology. Cuban Journal of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 50 (2). City of Havana, Cuba.
• Dickinson, F.O. & Batlle, M.C. (1997). Lyme borreliosis: approach to an emerging infectious disease. Cuban Journal of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 35 (2). City of Havana, Cuba.