Lyme disease, also called Lyme borreliosis is a bacterial infection that is spread by ticks. Bacteria causing this disease are of the borrelia type. The disease is spread to humans through bites by the causative ticks. These ticks get the bacterium by biting other infected animals like deer and mice. However, not all ticks carry the bacterium causing Lyme disease. Most common diseases have their methods of treatment and cure. Due to the increasing spread and illnesses, more research has been done on the cure of Lyme disease. Answer to the question; 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.
High temperatures, frequent headaches and fatigue are the other signs that follow. With continued infection, joints, the face, neck, heart and muscles are also affected. The resulting signs and symptoms are because of these systemic infections. Neck rigidity and muscle cramps are other signs and symptoms resulting from the infection. Inflammation of the meninges may occur if the infection spreads to the brain. Basing on these symptoms a diagnosis is possibly made. However, true diagnosis is made though blood tests.
Getting cured from the disorder is very possible. The chances of getting cured without complications are increased with early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Complications arising from the disease may occur if diagnosis is made at a later stage, after the disorder has spread.
Antibiotic medications have been proved to be effective in treatment of Lyme disorder. Such antibiotics include Doxycycline which is widely recommended as first line medication. This is because it has double advantage in that apart from curing Lyme infection, it also cures other infections caused by ticks. However, the drug is not advisable for use in children less than eight years or pregnant women. This is due to the fatal side effects.
In addition to Doxycycline, amoxicillin and azithromycin are the other antibiotic medications used as second line for treatment of Lyme disorder. Oral and intravenous routes of administration can be used to administer them. Treatment regimen usually varies and range from one to four weeks of therapy. This regimen depends on the severity of the disease. Initiating treatment within two weeks of infection increases its effectiveness. This however, is not possible as it takes five weeks for the bacteria to appear in blood used for confirmatory diagnosis.
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.
Others include putting on protective clothes and light colored clothes. Such ensures protection from being bitten and ensures easy visibility of the tick respectively. Keeping off long grass, use of repellents and avoiding deer and mice contacts are the other protective ways.
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.
High temperatures, frequent headaches and fatigue are the other signs that follow. With continued infection, joints, the face, neck, heart and muscles are also affected. The resulting signs and symptoms are because of these systemic infections. Neck rigidity and muscle cramps are other signs and symptoms resulting from the infection. Inflammation of the meninges may occur if the infection spreads to the brain. Basing on these symptoms a diagnosis is possibly made. However, true diagnosis is made though blood tests.
Getting cured from the disorder is very possible. The chances of getting cured without complications are increased with early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Complications arising from the disease may occur if diagnosis is made at a later stage, after the disorder has spread.
Antibiotic medications have been proved to be effective in treatment of Lyme disorder. Such antibiotics include Doxycycline which is widely recommended as first line medication. This is because it has double advantage in that apart from curing Lyme infection, it also cures other infections caused by ticks. However, the drug is not advisable for use in children less than eight years or pregnant women. This is due to the fatal side effects.
In addition to Doxycycline, amoxicillin and azithromycin are the other antibiotic medications used as second line for treatment of Lyme disorder. Oral and intravenous routes of administration can be used to administer them. Treatment regimen usually varies and range from one to four weeks of therapy. This regimen depends on the severity of the disease. Initiating treatment within two weeks of infection increases its effectiveness. This however, is not possible as it takes five weeks for the bacteria to appear in blood used for confirmatory diagnosis.
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.
Others include putting on protective clothes and light colored clothes. Such ensures protection from being bitten and ensures easy visibility of the tick respectively. Keeping off long grass, use of repellents and avoiding deer and mice contacts are the other protective ways.