Meet the rare Lyme disease, a pathology that begins with the bite of an infected tick; consequently causing a bacterial infection, whose symptoms are really annoying and can degenerate into serious consequences for the health of a human being.
What is Lyme disease?
It is a bacterial infection that is contracted by a person exposed to the bite of an infected tick.
This pathology is characterized by causing symptoms ranging from a simple skin rash, headache, fatigue, fever and even a series of infections that spread to the joints, nervous system and heart; if it is not submitted to an opportune treatment.
What is the agent that causes this disease?
Lyme disease is simply due to an infection caused by the implantation of a bacterium inside the patient’s body; which has been identified in the United States as “Borrelia burgdorferi”.
After scientific studies, it has been shown that this bacterium is acquired by a person, after being exposed to the bite of infected black ticks; Also known as deer ticks.
These types of ticks are found in territories such as the northeast of the United States, the Upper Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, northern California, and the Pacific Coast, usually.
It is a small insect that bites and sucks the blood of animals and humans; for which they quickly adhere to any part of your body, but especially in those areas within which they are difficult to appreciate such as armpits, scalp and groin.
The certain thing is that one of these creatures can keep sucking the blood of the body, during 36 to 48; enough time to transmit the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium.
Who can get Lyme disease?
Anyone who is bitten by one of these infected ticks; with higher risk, for those who spend a lot of time inside wooded areas, densely covered by grass.
Therefore, those who usually enjoy camping, excursions and hiking, as well as those workers dedicated to the care of parks and gardens, are at risk.
It is usual to register a greater number of tick bites, during the summer months; date within which ticks are most active and precisely the time when people tend to spend more time outdoors.
Lyme disease symptoms
Those who are bitten by a tick infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium; They may experience certain symptoms within a period between 3 and 30 days after transmission, such as:
• Fever
• Shaking chills
• Joint and muscle pain
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Red rash identified as erythema migrans
• Headaches and stiff neck
• Facial paralysis
• Arthritis
• Pain in the bones and tendons
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness or breathing difficulties
• Inflammation in the spinal cord and brain
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Shooting pains in the nerves and more.
The physical alterations caused as a consequence of the transmission of Lyme disease; it can range from mild symptoms to serious alterations in the physical condition of the person who acquires it; if the relevant treatment is not applied to stop its progress.
To diagnose this disease, a doctor relies on symptoms, the patient’s exposure to a bite from an infected black tick, the presence of any other disease with similar symptoms, and laboratory tests.
In which case, with these analyzes, the aim is to detect the presence of antibodies produced within the patient’s body, as a response of their immune system, to the development of an infection.
It should be noted that if a laboratory test is performed as soon as the patient is bitten, signs of Lyme disease cannot always be found even though it is in their body; Therefore, another series of consecutive tests is suggested later.
For the peace of mind of a patient who has contracted Lyme disease; this pathology is treated by antibiotics; counting on a wide possibility of recovery, if this treatment is started as soon as possible.