Description
Caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Deer ticks can carry the bacteria, and the disease is acquired after being bitten by an infected tick. Some patients don't remember the tick bite. There are three stages to the infection. See the symptoms section for a description. If untreated the disease can be serious involving the heart, brain, joints and nerves. The CDC states 94% of all Lyme disease cases occurred in the 12 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Symptoms
In Stage 1: the classic bulls-eye rash (erythema migrans) at the site of the bite, headache, fever, myalgias. Stage 2: spreading of the rash, muscle pain, joint pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, Bell's palsy (facial muscle weakness), severe headache, confusion, stiff neck, meningitis, memory loss, depression. Stage 3: intermittent joint pain, joint swelling (especially of the knee), chronic numbness, memory loss.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A blood test will be performed to detect antibodies to the bacteria. The most common one used is an ELISA test. A western blot test is performed to confirm positive ELISA results. Other tests (such as tests of nerve function) to determine the extent of disease may be recommended.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: ELISA, Western blot
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A blood test will be performed to detect antibodies to the bacteria. The most common one used is an ELISA test. A western blot test is performed to confirm positive ELISA results. Other tests (such as tests of nerve function) to determine the extent of disease may be recommended.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: ELISA, Western blot
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Treatment
Most people who are bitten by a tick do not get Lyme disease. Antibiotics (doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil) are used to treat or prevent Lyme disease after a tick bite. The specific antibiotic used depends on the stage of the disease and the symptoms. Severe cases require intravenous antibiotics. Pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications/NSAIDs (ibuprofen/Motrin or Advil, naproxen/Naprosyn) are sometimes prescribed to relieve joint stiffness.