Lyme Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Lyme disease is a disease caused by a bacterial infection that is spread by the bite of an infected tick. There are four types of bacteria that can cause Lyme disease, namely Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia mayonii, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. In Indonesia alone, Lyme disease is mostly caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
This bacterium can be found on all continents. However, you are more likely to get Lyme disease if you spend a lot of time or live in grassy and heavily wooded areas, where ticks that carry the bacteria are common.
Lyme disease is not contagious. But if experienced by pregnant women, this disease can be transmitted to the fetus in the womb.
Symptoms
Lyme disease symptoms vary and are divided according to the phases. In the early phase of Lyme disease, the symptoms are small red bumps on the tick bite and will disappear in a few days.
After that, other initial symptoms will appear about a month after infection, such as:
- The rash becomes like a bull’s eye pattern which is known as erythema migrans. This rash will grow slowly until it can reach 30 cm. The rash does not itch or hurt. Migrant erythema is a hallmark of Lyme disease. In some people, it can appear in several parts of the body.
- Other symptoms that appear to resemble the flu, namely fever, chills, weakness, body aches, and headaches.
If left untreated, other new symptoms will appear within weeks to months, such as:
- Erythema Migrans or rash on several other parts of the body.
- Joint pain or swollen joints that can occur in the knee and can move to other joints.
- Nervous or neurological disorders such as meningitis or infection of the lining of the brain, Bell’s Palsy or temporary paralysis on one side of the face, numbness or weakness in the limbs, and impaired muscle movement.
Symptoms that may occur several weeks after infection but are quite rare include:
- Heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat. Heart problems rarely last more than a few days or weeks.
- Hard to breathe.
- Eye inflammation
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).
- Severe fatigue.
Reason
Lyme disease is a disease that is transmitted through the bite of a tick that has been infected with the bacteria that causes this disease. The bacterium that causes Lyme disease itself is of the genus Borrelia sp.
There are four types of Borrelia, namely Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia mayonii, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii . The bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi is the cause of Lyme disease.
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about the history of flea bites. It is quite difficult to determine the diagnosis of Lyme disease because the symptoms vary and are similar to other diseases. However, the characteristic symptom of Lyme disease, namely erythema migrans, can help diagnose Lyme disease. Usually, this rash will widen within a few days.
Laboratory blood tests can also help. ELISA ( Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) examination was performed to look for antibodies against Borrelia sp. However, this test is not effective if done too early, because antibodies generally have not been formed. If the ELISA test is positive, a western blot test will be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Handling is done using antibiotics. Treatment will be faster if started early. Antibiotics can be oral (drinking) or intravenous (injecting).
The drinking antibiotic used is doxycycline for children over the age of 8 years and adults. Meanwhile, amoxicillin or cefuroxime is used for adults, younger children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Usually, antibiotics are used for 14–21 days.
If the symptoms have affected the nervous system, then antibiotics are needed through the blood vessels. Use of these antibiotics for 14–28 days. One of the possible side effects is diarrhea.
Some sufferers may experience symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness. However, this does not need to be treated with antibiotics.
Prevention
The most effective way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites. This can be attempted by:
- Protect the body with long clothing, shoes, hats, and glasses.
- Use an anti-mosquito lotion.
- Keeping your garden tick-free.
- Get yourself and your child checked for ticks after spending time in grassy areas. Even if necessary, your pet also needs to be examined.