Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused by four main species of bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia mayonii, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii), and are transmitted to humans through the bites of an infected tick. Lyme disease usually causes rashes often in a bullseye pattern and causes various other symptoms based on the stages of infection.
Causes and basic diagnostic methods
Generally, ticks get affected by the bacterium by biting infected animals, especially deer and mice. All people who are bitten by ticks don’t get Lyme disease, because all ticks are not infected. Only the ticks that are already infected tend to spread Lyme disease while they feed on a human for blood.
Basic diagnosis takes place through physical observation. A person with Lyme disease develops rashes in the shape of a bullseye. Blood tests can be taken after three or four weeks later after observation. Other diagnoses such as skin biopsy or spinal tap can also be done. Lyme disease is easier to be treated at the earlier stages with basic antibiotics and proper treatment. Recovery will be sooner and better if the treatment begins soon. Some of the general treatment and medications of Lyme disease include:
Oral antibiotics: The most commonly used antibiotics for oral treatment include doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. These antibiotics are generally prescribed to continue for about 14 to 21 days. Doxycycline is prescribed for children above 8 years old and adults, whereas amoxicillin or cefuroxime are prescribed for younger children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women.
Intravenous antibiotics: The later stages of Lyme disease require long-term intravenous antibiotics. Some physicians recommend a course of intravenous antibiotics to prevent further neurologic symptoms. Intravenous antibiotics are not prescribed unless cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities are identified.
The most common intravenous antibiotic used in Lyme disease treatments is ceftriaxone, which is more commonly known as Rocephin. Intravenous antibiotics must be administered with utmost care and consideration. Like any other vitamin drips, it is an effective and fast way of getting the antibiotics into the blood. In addition to intravenous antibiotics, the person at the last stage of Lyme disease also receives some supportive therapies such as antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, and stomach acid control.
The main difference between oral antibiotics and intravenous antibiotics is that intravenous antibiotics are administered directly into the blood. Oral antibiotics travel through the digestive system before they can be completely absorbed into the blood.
Intramuscular treatment: People who cannot tolerate and are unable to recover by oral treatment undergo intramuscular treatment. During this treatment, the antibiotics are injected into a person intramuscularly.
Pulse and combination therapy: This therapy is a relatively new treatment for Lyme disease. But it seems to be effective only in certain cases. This therapy involves the combination of antibiotics that coincides with the symptom flare-ups.
It is necessary to undergo proper treatment for Lyme disease. If untreated, the infection will spread to the joints, heart, and the nervous system. It almost affects the entire body and will make the treatment process more difficult. The sooner treatment is sought, the faster is the recovery.
