Also known as Lyme borreliosis, Lyme disease is a minor infection caused by bacterial attack. Ticks, especially those of borrelia species, spread the bacteria. The bacteria then pass on from the tick to humans through a tick bite. The original source of the disease before getting to ticks is deer or mice. These animals pass the infection to ticks, but not all ticks will carry the infection. With extensive research and development of cures of most diseases, there are also major developments in the cure of Lyme disease. This article addresses the question of; is there a cure for lyme disease?
After the tick gets attached to you, it takes around 36 to 48 hour to pass the infection to your body. Removal of these ticks is not possible due to their small size making them difficult to recognize. In addition to that, the ticks hide in difficult-to see areas such as the armpits, groin and the scalp regions. Erythema migrans, a reddish area that starts as a rash and expands is the first signal of infection. It usually occurs one week after being bitten. The area won't be painful or itchy.
Fevers, migran headaches and getting easily fatigued are the other accompanying signs. As the infection progresses, the joints, face and neck area, heart and muscles also get infected. Stiffness of the neck and easy cramping of muscles are other developing signs. In addition, the meninges get inflamed as the disorder spread and reach the brain. To diagnose the disease, signs and symptoms are assessed. Confirmatory diagnosis is done through blood testing.
Treatment of Lyme disorder is possible. This is however effective if detected early. If diagnosis or treatment is delayed, there are risks of developing long lasting complications. It is therefore important to seek treatment once you start developing such signs and symptoms.
For curative treatment, antibiotics have been proven effective. The first line drug in the treatment of this disorder is Doxycycline. In addition to being able to cure the disease, Doxycycline has an added advantage of being able to treat other diseases caused by ticks. Every drug has side effects. For Doxycycline, the side effects appear to be fatal for children less than eight of age and women who are pregnant.
Other medications used for treating Lyme disorder include amoxicillin and azithromycin. These drugs can be administered through various routes including oral or intravenous means. The medication regimen vary and lasts for one to four weeks depending on the severity. It will be more effective if these medications are initiated within the first two weeks of infection. However, it this is difficult since the bacteria can be detected in blood after 5 weeks thus hindering effective cure.
As we all know, prevention is better than cure. It is therefore more prudent to prevent this disease than cure it. There are many ways that have been suggested to prevent the disease. Vaccines were initially the most effective way of preventing the disease. However, production of the vaccines was stopped due to the small market that was available.
Wearing of protective clothing such as long sleeved hat and long trousers or boots is another preventive method. Also, light colored clothing make the tick easily visible for removal before it attaches itself. Using insect repellents, keeping off long grass and reducing contacts with primary hosts, deer and mice would also help in prevention.
After the tick gets attached to you, it takes around 36 to 48 hour to pass the infection to your body. Removal of these ticks is not possible due to their small size making them difficult to recognize. In addition to that, the ticks hide in difficult-to see areas such as the armpits, groin and the scalp regions. Erythema migrans, a reddish area that starts as a rash and expands is the first signal of infection. It usually occurs one week after being bitten. The area won't be painful or itchy.
Fevers, migran headaches and getting easily fatigued are the other accompanying signs. As the infection progresses, the joints, face and neck area, heart and muscles also get infected. Stiffness of the neck and easy cramping of muscles are other developing signs. In addition, the meninges get inflamed as the disorder spread and reach the brain. To diagnose the disease, signs and symptoms are assessed. Confirmatory diagnosis is done through blood testing.
Treatment of Lyme disorder is possible. This is however effective if detected early. If diagnosis or treatment is delayed, there are risks of developing long lasting complications. It is therefore important to seek treatment once you start developing such signs and symptoms.
For curative treatment, antibiotics have been proven effective. The first line drug in the treatment of this disorder is Doxycycline. In addition to being able to cure the disease, Doxycycline has an added advantage of being able to treat other diseases caused by ticks. Every drug has side effects. For Doxycycline, the side effects appear to be fatal for children less than eight of age and women who are pregnant.
Other medications used for treating Lyme disorder include amoxicillin and azithromycin. These drugs can be administered through various routes including oral or intravenous means. The medication regimen vary and lasts for one to four weeks depending on the severity. It will be more effective if these medications are initiated within the first two weeks of infection. However, it this is difficult since the bacteria can be detected in blood after 5 weeks thus hindering effective cure.
As we all know, prevention is better than cure. It is therefore more prudent to prevent this disease than cure it. There are many ways that have been suggested to prevent the disease. Vaccines were initially the most effective way of preventing the disease. However, production of the vaccines was stopped due to the small market that was available.
Wearing of protective clothing such as long sleeved hat and long trousers or boots is another preventive method. Also, light colored clothing make the tick easily visible for removal before it attaches itself. Using insect repellents, keeping off long grass and reducing contacts with primary hosts, deer and mice would also help in prevention.