That is why early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics is important. If untreated, the bacteria can cause chronic irritation in in a number of the body’s organs. The bacteria can survive for long periods in the body even if no symptoms develop. If complications develop, intravenous antibiotics may need to be used to treat the infection. Antibiotics are generally given for up to three weeks. If untreated, the disease will progress to a longer-term form in about half of patients. How is Lyme disease treated?Ĭommon antibiotics (such as doxycycline or amoxicillin) are effective at clearing the infection and early symptoms and in helping to prevent the development of complications. The tick injects the bacteria into the person’s blood while feeding and this leads to infection. The Borrelia bacteria are carried by infected ticks that feed on blood when they bite a person. Patients with chronic disseminated Lyme disease may not remember a tick bite as the bite may have occurred years previously at this late stage of infection.
#Cost of western blot test for lyme disease skin
As ACA progresses the skin may become thin, translucent and begins to wrinkle. It begins with bluish red discoloration of the skin and skin swelling. ACA is most evident on the hands and feet. A skin condition known as acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) may occur at this stage. This stage most commonly involves joints, particularly the knee. Progress to this stage is uncommon but may occur in patients who did not receive enough treatment at an earlier stage. Treatment of Lyme disease with antibiotics at this stage is also advised. arthritis (swelling and pain in joints).meningitis (swelling of the layers around the brain).facial nerve weakness, facial droop or other neurological problems in the head and neck.multiple rashes like erythema migrans (usually smaller).Early disseminated disease:ĭuring this stage the bacteria may spread around the body in the blood causing any of the following symptoms: However, treatment of Lyme disease with antibiotics at this stage is still advised to reduce the chance that the disease may progress. The rash and other symptoms can resolve even without antibiotics. The rash may be very faint and not easily noticed, especially if the bite was not in an obvious area. The patient may also have vague 'flu-like' symptoms. In about three quarters of cases the patient develops a characteristic “bulls-eye” red rash ( erythema migrans) spreading outwards from the site of a tick bite. For those who have symptoms (Lyme disease) the illness is described as having three different stages. Some people with Borrelia infection will have no symptoms. The patient’s symptoms are the body’s attempts to get rid of the bacteria from the body. When this bacteria enters the body, the body’s defence system will attack and try to destroy it.
Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is an infection caused by bacteria known as Borrelia (B.
Laboratory testing for Lyme disease: FAQs for general public
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