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.
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. Likewise, we are facing an old acquaintance of humanity: there are vestiges of its existence even in prehistory, although the first documented cases 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 there is a greater probability of appearance in those people who are frequently outdoors in areas where the usual hosts of these ticks live.
The most notable symptoms of this disorder are the presence of erythema in the bite area, which can spread (usually called erythema migrans), along with typical flu symptoms. The presence of nausea, conjunctivitis, headache, feeling of fatigue and muscle stiffness are relatively common.
If the disease progresses Arthritis, loss of muscle tone, facial paralysis, tremors may occur, increased tension, memory problems and even respiratory problems that could stop said 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 experience the disease progress to a chronic phase, especially if they have not been treated or it has not been detected in time. Although some deaths resulting from it have been described (for example due to cardiorespiratory arrest), the death of the subject due to Lyme disease is not common.
Causes
The origin of this disease is found in the bacteria 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), and it is very frequently transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes genus.
These ticks are common on rodents, horses and deer. Human beings are not usually hosts of these beings, but accidental exposure to these insects can cause a bite. Despite this, Not all ticks of this genus transmit the bacteria mentioned above, causing Lyme disease only in those who are infected by it. Although this article primarily explores the disease and symptoms caused in humans, it can also affect other animals and pets.
To transmit 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 on the body as it cannot be located. .
Lyme disease is not contagious between people: It is not spread through physical contact, breathing, or sexual contact. Whoever suffers from it cannot transmit it unless a tick infected by the bacteria passes from its carrier to another. For example, if a dog suffers from the disease he will not infect his caregiver per se, although he may have ticks attached that could do so.
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. It can take weeks from the bite to the appearance of symptoms, 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. Early localized infection
At this stage, migratory erythema usually appears around the tick bite, which It can cause itching and other altered sensations on the skin In general, no more symptoms usually appear. Sometimes discomfort and bluish lymphocytomas also appear in areas such as the ears.
2. Early disseminated infection
The bacteria has penetrated and spread throughout the body, potentially causing other skin lesions in areas other than the bite, along with fatigue and muscle pain. Some more serious symptoms may be the appearance of arrhythmias and cardiac disorders. 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 arise (in fact one of the first names for this disease is Lyme arthritis) that can become permanent. Problems such as memory loss also often appear and alterations in the level of consciousness, and encephalitis could appear.
Lyme disease generally has an effective diagnosis and treatment that usually ends with the patient’s complete recovery.
The first element to take into account is the possibility that the tick that transmitted the bacteria or its stinger still remain in the subject’s body. A first step to follow is the removal of the arachnid from the organism using hooks or clamps, as well as disinfecting the area. If a bite is identified, observation of the patient for at least a month is recommended to check whether symptoms arise or not.
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 within a period of several weeks, although sometimes residual symptoms may appear. In cases where this disease becomes chronic the application of a more continuous antibiotic treatment program over time may be necessary.
Analgesics can also be used to combat possible muscle pain or other drugs to control fever and other symptoms that appear during the condition.
