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 bacteria are transmitted by ticks found on deer in various geographical locations. A bite of the human flesh leads to the release of the bacteria into the blood stream of the affected individual. There is an early phase in which the condition is localised to the affected site and a later phase in which it spreads to other parts of the body as it becomes a systemic illness.
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.
The antibodies can be detected in blood by use of a special technique known as ELISA. The main disadvantage of using this method us the fact that there may be false positive results in some cases. This may lead to treatment where there is no indication. Another major challenge experienced during diagnosis is the lack of specificity of symptoms. Consequently, misdiagnoses are fairly common.
Treatment is mainly through the use of antibiotics. There are numerous antibiotics that are very effective and the choice depends on disease severity and the area of the body that has been affected. Oral drugs have been found to be highly effective for early phase illness while intravenous drugs are useful in the advanced forms of the disease. The most important thing to remember here is that prompt treatment has 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.
Other drugs that are used are mainly for supportive treatment. For instance pain relieving drugs are often necessary for the pain associated with joint swelling. These drugs also help in reducing the associated inflammation. For the severely swollen joints, drainage of joint fluid is usually useful.
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 bacteria are transmitted by ticks found on deer in various geographical locations. A bite of the human flesh leads to the release of the bacteria into the blood stream of the affected individual. There is an early phase in which the condition is localised to the affected site and a later phase in which it spreads to other parts of the body as it becomes a systemic illness.
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.
The antibodies can be detected in blood by use of a special technique known as ELISA. The main disadvantage of using this method us the fact that there may be false positive results in some cases. This may lead to treatment where there is no indication. Another major challenge experienced during diagnosis is the lack of specificity of symptoms. Consequently, misdiagnoses are fairly common.
Treatment is mainly through the use of antibiotics. There are numerous antibiotics that are very effective and the choice depends on disease severity and the area of the body that has been affected. Oral drugs have been found to be highly effective for early phase illness while intravenous drugs are useful in the advanced forms of the disease. The most important thing to remember here is that prompt treatment has 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.
Other drugs that are used are mainly for supportive treatment. For instance pain relieving drugs are often necessary for the pain associated with joint swelling. These drugs also help in reducing the associated inflammation. For the severely swollen joints, drainage of joint fluid is usually useful.
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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