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Lyme Disease

Medical Questions » Lyme Disease
Name: Lyme Disease
Also known as:
Relatively common bacterial blood infection that occurs in the northeast United States.
Causes of Lyme Disease
The bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is spread by the bite of the tic Ixodes from infected mice or deer to humans. The tic may lie dormant for up to a year before passing on the infection with a bite.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
The disease has three stages: 1. in stage one the patient has a flat or slightly raised red patchy rash, fever, muscle aches and headache. 2. stage two comes two to four weeks later with a stiff neck, severe headache, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain) and possibly Bell' s palsy. 3. in stage three, which may come three to twelve months later, the patient has muscle pains, and most seriously a long lasting severe form of arthritis that may move from joint to joint.
Tests for Lyme Disease
Diagnosis confirmed by specific blood tests.
Treatment for Lyme Disease
Prolonged and repeated courses of antibiotics.
Complications of Lyme Disease of its treatment
Persistent crippling arthritis.
Likely Outcome of Lyme Disease
Long term, one third of patients may suffer from continuing muscle and joint pains, while a smaller percentage have after effects of the meningitis.
       
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