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Lyme Disease
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial organism that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Most people bitten by an infected tick develop a characteristic skin rash around the area of the bite. The rash may feel hot to the touch, and vary in size, shape, and color, but it will often have a "bull's eye" appearance (a red ring with a clear center). However, there are those who will not develop the rash, which makes Lyme disease hard to diagnose because its symptoms and signs mimic those of many other diseases.
Seven to 10 days following an infected tick's bite, the first stage of Lyme disease begins with flu like symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.
What are Neurological Complications Of Lyme Disease?
Neurological complications most often occur in the second stage of Lyme disease, with numbness, pain, weakness, Bell's palsy (paralysis of the facial muscles), visual disturbances, and meningitis symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, and severe headache. Other problems, which may not appear until weeks, months, or years after a tick bite, include decreased concentration, irritability, memory and sleep disorders, and nerve damage in the arms and legs.
Treatment for Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics under the supervision of a physician.
What is the Prognosis of Lyme Disease?
Most individuals with Lyme disease respond well to antibiotics and have full recovery. In a few patients symptoms of persisting infection may continue or recur, requiring additional antibiotic treatment. Varying degrees of permanent joint or nervous system damage may develop in patients with late chronic (lasting a long time) Lyme disease. In rare cases, some individuals may die from Lyme disease and its complications.
Research is Being Done
The NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) supports research on Lyme disease. Current areas of interest include improving diagnostic tests and developing more effective treatments. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and the National Center for Research Resources also support research on Lyme disease.
Organizations
Lyme Disease Foundation
P.O. Box 332
Tolland, CT
http://www.lyme.org
Tel: 80LYME (5963)
Fax:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD
http://www.niaid.nih.gov
Tel:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
31 Center Dr., Rm. 4C02 MSC 2350
Bethesda, MD
http://www.niams.nih.gov
Tel: 877-22-NIAMS
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30333
http://www.cdc.gov
Tel: /
Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30309
http://www.arthritis.org
Tel:
Fax:
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References:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
February 2007
www.ninds.nih.gov
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