Lyme disease is a disease that has been extensively studied for the last forty years. It has been established that the causative organisms are bacteria known as spirochetes. Different species have been discovered over time. The symptoms associated with the illness are variable and may include, skin lesions, multiple joint pains, symptoms of heart disease and central nervous system abnormalities. Knowing how to treat Lyme disease is important for Tucson, AZ residents.
The causative bacteria are transmitted by ticks living on deer as parasites. A bite from the tick introduces bacteria into the blood stream. This gives rise to the first phase of the illness. The organisms incubate for a brief period of days or weeks before giving rise to the full blown illness, the second phase. The rate of progression depends on the amount of bacteria released during the bite.
During the first phase, there is flu like illness a few days after being bitten. The second phase follows an incubation period of about two weeks. More advanced conditions may manifest as meningitis, cerebral palsy or arthritis. In the long term, some persons have been found to be extraordinarily anxious and depressed. To diagnose the illness there is need to corroborate the history with the appearance of specific antibodies in the blood.
The antibodies can be detected in blood by use of a special technique known as ELISA. The main disadvantage of using this method us the fact that there may be false positive results in some cases. This may lead to treatment where there is no indication. Another major challenge experienced during diagnosis is the lack of specificity of symptoms. Consequently, misdiagnoses are fairly common.
The treatment of this illness is mainly by use of antibiotics. There are many types of antibiotics that are used with the choice being determined by the severity and area of body involved. Oral drugs are good enough for the early disease. Intravenous drugs, on the other hand, are preferred when treating more advanced disease. Treatment that is started early gives better outcomes.
Some of the oral antibiotics that are used for this purpose include doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime. They are very effective for the early disease especially when started in good time. Doxycycline is, however, unsafe for pregnant women and young children and is not used for these groups. The commonly used antibiotics include penicillin G and ceftriaxone. They are most effective for second phase of illness.
Other drugs that are used are mainly for supportive treatment. For instance pain relieving drugs are often necessary for the pain associated with joint swelling. These drugs also help in reducing the associated inflammation. For the severely swollen joints, drainage of joint fluid is usually useful.
The incidence of this condition is highest among children aged 5 to 14 years and adults in the fifth decade of life. The most significant risk factor is living in area that is infested with the vector ticks. It should be noted that the disease is not contagious. It is also not transmitted through the placenta of an infected mother to their unborn children.
The causative bacteria are transmitted by ticks living on deer as parasites. A bite from the tick introduces bacteria into the blood stream. This gives rise to the first phase of the illness. The organisms incubate for a brief period of days or weeks before giving rise to the full blown illness, the second phase. The rate of progression depends on the amount of bacteria released during the bite.
During the first phase, there is flu like illness a few days after being bitten. The second phase follows an incubation period of about two weeks. More advanced conditions may manifest as meningitis, cerebral palsy or arthritis. In the long term, some persons have been found to be extraordinarily anxious and depressed. To diagnose the illness there is need to corroborate the history with the appearance of specific antibodies in the blood.
The antibodies can be detected in blood by use of a special technique known as ELISA. The main disadvantage of using this method us the fact that there may be false positive results in some cases. This may lead to treatment where there is no indication. Another major challenge experienced during diagnosis is the lack of specificity of symptoms. Consequently, misdiagnoses are fairly common.
The treatment of this illness is mainly by use of antibiotics. There are many types of antibiotics that are used with the choice being determined by the severity and area of body involved. Oral drugs are good enough for the early disease. Intravenous drugs, on the other hand, are preferred when treating more advanced disease. Treatment that is started early gives better outcomes.
Some of the oral antibiotics that are used for this purpose include doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime. They are very effective for the early disease especially when started in good time. Doxycycline is, however, unsafe for pregnant women and young children and is not used for these groups. The commonly used antibiotics include penicillin G and ceftriaxone. They are most effective for second phase of illness.
Other drugs that are used are mainly for supportive treatment. For instance pain relieving drugs are often necessary for the pain associated with joint swelling. These drugs also help in reducing the associated inflammation. For the severely swollen joints, drainage of joint fluid is usually useful.
The incidence of this condition is highest among children aged 5 to 14 years and adults in the fifth decade of life. The most significant risk factor is living in area that is infested with the vector ticks. It should be noted that the disease is not contagious. It is also not transmitted through the placenta of an infected mother to their unborn children.
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