Health Sciences - Lyme Disease - Research Paper Example

? Lyme Disease Introduction Lyme disease refers to a bacterial tick-borne infection. It was first recognized in the year 1975, following investigations by researches as to why the diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was abnormally common in children in Lyme, Connecticut as well as two neighboring towns. The researchers realized that most of these children stayed near wooded regions that were likely to shelter ticks. They also discovered that typically, the first symptoms in the children began in the months of summer, which coincided with the tick season (Webmd.com, 2005).  Etiology In the year 1981, researchers discovered that a Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, which is found in black-legged ticks, was Lyme disease’s etiologic agent (Bacon, et al., 2008). Animals that often carry these ticks include horses, foxes, white-footed field mice, raccoons, deer, skunks, shrews, weasels, moles, squirrels, chipmunks and opossums. Most of these ticks are common in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Connecticut Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York (Webmd.com, 2005). Incidence of Lyme disease The first incidence of Lyme disease occurred in the year 1975 in the United States’ town of Old Lyme, Connecticut. In the US, most infections of the Lyme disease are common in West Coast, mainly in the northern parts of California, Northeastern states, from Maine to Virginia, and North-central states, mainly in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Lyme disease occurs in three stages: the first stage is known as early localized Lyme disease. During this stage, the infection is not yet widespread all over the body. The second stage is known as early disseminated Lyme disease and in this stage; bacteria have started spreading all over the body. In the third stage, known as late disseminated Lyme disease, the bacteria have already spread all over the body (Nih.gov, 2011). Symptoms Clinical manifestations of Lyme disease often involve the heart, the nervous system, joints and skin. Extra-coetaneous manifestations are not as commonly seen as in earlier years (Wormser, 2006). The symptoms of Stage 1 (early localized Lyme disease) start weeks or days after infection. These symptoms resemble those of flu infection and they include: headache, stiff neck, fever, body-wide itching, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, general ill-feeling, chills, and fainting or light-headedness. A large, spreading out skin rash, a slightly raised or flat red spot mostly with a clear spot at the center may also appear at the tick bite area (Nih.gov, 2011 & Webmd.com, 2005). Symptoms of Lyme disease may appear and then disappear and if not treated, Lyme disease can spread to the joints, heart and brain. Symptoms of the second stage of Lyme disease include paralysis or face muscles’ weakness, swelling or pain in the knees as well as other large joints and muscle pain, and such heart problems as palpitations. These symptoms may appear weeks to months since the initial tick bite. The most frequent symptoms of the third stage of Lyme disease include speech problems, joint and muscle pain, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle movement, tingling and numbness. These symptoms can appear months or years following the initial contagion (Nih.gov, 2011). Risk factors The risk factors for Lyme disease include having ticks-infected pets at home; performing such outside tasks as hiking, hunting or gardening in areas prone to Lyme disease, which may increase a person’s exposure to ticks; and walking in high grasses (Nih.gov, 2011). Diagnosis Physicians should make the diagnosis of Lyme disease after evaluating the symptoms as well as a patient's risk of coming into contact with infected ticks. Blood tests are also carried out to find out whether there is the presence of antibodies to the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria (Bacon, et al., 2008). Great emphasis should be put on the fact that blood tests’ results cannot be interpreted without information about the symptoms of the patient. The Public Health Agency of Canada (2006) proposes the two-tiered blood testing approach, which involves examining blood samples with one test and going on with the test only on samples whose test results are positive for Lyme disease. The Agency warns against the use of nullified tests or the interpretation of results with no proper guidelines. Blood tests of patients who have gone through antibiotic treatment or those with early Lyme disease may be negative. Blood tests’ accuracy increases with the progress of the infection. Treatment There are several antibiotics used in the treatment of Lyme disease. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated by taking ceftriaxone, doxycycline or amoxicillin for 2-4 weeks. For patients with certain cardiac or neurological problems, intravenous treatment with ceftriaxone or penicillin may be necessary. Diagnosis of Lyme disease in its later stages may call for a longer duration of antibiotic treatment since the patient can have recurrent/persistent symptoms. Treatments of Lyme disease should start as early as possible (The Public Health Agency of Canada 2006). Prognosis As discussed earlier, Lyme disease, if diagnosed early, can be treated with antibiotics. However, if one does not seek medical treatment, he/she may develop complications affecting the nervous system, the heart and joints. These symptoms are however treatable. In rare situations, even after receiving treatment with antibiotics, the patient may continue showing symptoms that can impede daily life. This is referred to as post-Lyme disease syndrome and its cause is not known (Nih.gov, 2011). Prophylaxis of Lyme Disease The best method of preventing Lyme disease is preventing exposure to vector ticks. People should also avoid vector-infested areas and if this is unavoidable, they should use tick repellents and protective clothing such as long pants tucked in socks and tucked-in long-sleeved shirt. It is also important for one to examine the whole body and clothes daily for ticks and to remove the attached ticks promptly before they transmit these micro-organisms. After a recognized bite by a Lyme vector, adult patients and children over 8 years may take one dose of doxycycline (Wormser, 2006).  Conclusion Apparently, the number of Lyme disease cases in addition to the number of areas wherein it has been reported has been on the increase. It is therefore crucial for Lyme disease health care practitioners to understand the clinical manifestations as well as recommended practices for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In the event of tick bites, one should be observed closely for Lyme disease signs and symptoms for a whole month. One should be particularly monitored for any skin lesion at the tick bite area. If one develops any of these signs within one month following a tick bite, he/she should quickly go for check-up to assess the likelihood of having a tick-borne infection.  References Bacon, R. M. et al, (2008). Surveillance for Lyme Disease – United States, 1992-2006. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5710a1.htm Nih.gov, (2011). Lyme disease: Borreliosis; Bannwarth syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002296/ The Public Health Agency of Canada, (2006). Lyme Disease Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/lyme-fs-eng.php Webmd.com (2005). Arthritis and Lyme Disease. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/arthritis-lyme-disease Wormser, G. P. (2006). The Clinical Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Lyme Disease, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis: Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Oxford Journals, 43(9), 1089-1134. Read More