You are hearing that so many people are suffering from Lyme disease more and more, and the illness is becoming more widespread worldwide. However, you do not know how many people truly have had it. But studies indicate that 14 percent, around one-tenth of the world population, may have had Lyme disease. That is because it was found that there were antibodies in that many people’s blood.
And the areas that had the most Lyme disease were Europe and Asia, and men that are 50 and older and live in rural areas are the ones who are the most at risk. However, there need to be more studies to confirm it and to improve the accuracy of these estimates.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme borreliosis is also Lyme disease caused by bacteria that ticks carry. Therefore, they can pass it on to humans and animals through bites. The deer ticks are most likely the ones to carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, which the Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, and you are the most at risk for contracting this disease if you spend a lot of time in heavily wooded and grassy areas. That is where the deer ticks are and will bite you and your pets.
What Are The Symptoms Of Lyme Disease?
The symptoms vary, but the most common first symptom is a small red bump that may look like a mosquito bite. However, if it turns into a rash, then it is likely Lyme disease, and the rash can appear within three to 30 days of being bitten. The rash has a bullseye appearance, and the rash also expands to 12 inches or 30 centimeters across. It is not painful or itchy, but it can feel warm if you touch it. This rash is one of the most common signs that you have Lyme disease but not everyone who has the condition develops this rash.
You can also develop fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, neck stiffness, headache, body aches, and loss of appetite that happen while you have the rash. You may also end up with a rash in other parts of your body, and you may also have joint pain, which most likely will affect your knees. You may also develop neurological problems such as Bell’s palsy which is a temporary paralysis of one side of the face. You could even develop meningitis weeks, months, or years later. You may also have muscle weakness or challenges with muscle movement.
The less common symptoms of Lyme disease are irregular heartbeats, hepatitis, severe fatigue, and eye inflammation. That is why it is essential that once you suspect that you have been bitten by a tick, you see a doctor. That even means if your symptoms begin to disappear, you will want to see your doctor. And many of those who tested positive for Lyme disease antibodies likely had their symptoms disappearing which meant they did not think anything of it. But the severe symptoms could end up appearing later on, which is why you need to see your doctor.
What Is The Treatment For Lyme Disease?
Antibiotics are the treatment for Lyme disease as you will be able to nip it in the bud with it if you see your doctor early on as the antibiotics will eradicate it. The treatment is a course of doxycycline for children over eight and for adults, and amoxicillin or cefuroxime for young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and adults. You may need several courses of it if one does not take care of it.
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to use insect repellent if you go into heavily wooded areas, or you will need to also wear long sleeves and pants. Keep yourself safe from Lyme disease.
