what is the best time to test for lyme disease after a tick bite

Lyme Disease 101: From Tick Bites to Neurological Problems

Photo Courtesy: Judita Juknele/EyeEm/Getty Images

Taking its name from the littoral town of Lyme, Connecticut, Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States. So, what exactly causes Lyme affliction? In brusque, the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through tick bites, causes Lyme disease.

While the bacterium can be transmitted by several species of tick, the biggest culprit is the black-legged deer tick. In order for an infection of Lyme disease to occur, the tick must remain attached to an individual for at least 36 to 48 hours. However, other tick-borne infections can occur in a shorter amount of time. In fact, individuals who come up downwardly with Lyme illness can besides be infected with other tick-borne diseases and conditions, such as Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis, from the same bite.

The vast majority of cases occur during the warm jump and summer months, with 94% of all cases occurring in the following 12 states:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

Information technology should also be noted that cases occur often in the northern, forested region of California.

The Iii Stages of Lyme Disease

Stage Ane

• This stage occurs inside a few weeks of the tick bite. At this phase, the effects of the infection are localized to the area surrounding the bite and include reddening and the development of the infamous bull's eye-shaped rash. The individual may too experience general flu-like symptoms.

Stage Two

• The intermediate stage occurs within the get-go months later on infection. At this stage, the infection has spread and might crusade multiple skin lesions. It can also cause problems with the cardiac and neurological systems — though this but occurs in a low percent of cases.

Stage Three

• This final phase occurs several months to a year later on the initial infection. At this phase, the infection is widespread and may cause hurting too as neurological problems, including dementia. Lyme disease tin yet exist treated at this stage, only the person volition likely have some lasting effects.

Photo Courtesy: Photon Illustration/Stocktrek Images/Getty Images

Symptoms Associated With Lyme Disease

Lyme disease symptoms vary based upon the phase of the infection. In the beginning, information technology tin can exist easy to mistake the symptoms as something as simple every bit the influenza.

In stage i, symptoms may come up and go, and include:

• Headache
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Fever
• Chills
• Stiff cervix
• Muscle aches
• Itching all over the body
• Angst, or a general feeling of beingness unwell

One of the most well-known symptoms associated with Lyme disease is tell-tale rash, also chosen Erythema Migrans. Although well-known, this bull's eye-shaped rash occurs in just 80% of cases of Lyme affliction. Ofttimes, information technology volition spread outward from the bite and tin vary in size.

In stage two, symptoms may include:

• Musculus pain or joint paint
• Swelling in joints
• Paralysis or weakness in the face up
• Eye issues, such every bit palpitations
• Pain in the legs, especially in the nighttime
• Headaches

Finally, symptoms associated with stage three include:

• Spoken communication issues
• Joint and muscle pain
• Musculus weakness
• Abnormal muscle movements
• Numbness and tingling
• Causes & Risk Factors Associated With Lyme Affliction

As mentioned above, Lyme disease is caused exclusively by the bite of an infected tick. Most oft, the ticks alive in wooded and brushy areas. If y'all walk through their habitat — or if your pet does — the ticks may latch onto you, often migrating toward the warmer areas of the bodies to feed.

Of course, non everyone who is bitten past a tick will go Lyme disease, but it's all-time to be cautious if you discover a tick on your body, clothes or pet. Exist sure to thoroughly check your body for ticks after:

• Participating in outdoor activities such equally gardening, hunting, or hiking in areas where ticks are known to inhabit
• Letting house pets explore areas where ticks reside
• Walking in areas with high grass, such every bit fields

Diagnosing Lyme Disease

Diagnosing Lyme illness can be challenging, namely because patients don't always discover their tick bite. Since the symptoms tin can be like to the flu and other illnesses, missing a tick seize with teeth can atomic number 82 to a misdiagnosis.

If you suspect y'all've experienced a tick seize with teeth, be certain to monitor your symptoms and inform your doctor. Additionally, it's helpful to certificate where your tick bite was and if you noticed whatever swelling or redness. Based on your symptoms, your doctor will behave a series of tests to diagnose your condition and prescribe the most constructive treatment.

• Concrete Exam: Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may examine you to decide whatsoever abnormalities from rashes to joint swelling and neurological abnormalities. Depending on your symptoms, y'all will likely demand additional follow-upwards tests. These physical examinations are preliminary and cannot conclusively diagnose Lyme disease — with one exception. If you develop the Erythema Migrans — that balderdash's eye-shaped rash that spreads outward from the bite — your md can confirm your diagnosis without further tests.
• Blood Test: A blood exam can help diagnose Lyme disease in all three stages.

Treatment & Prevention

When it comes to prevention, the best thing you lot can practise is remain aware. If you hike or walk in an area inhabited past ticks you should:

• Vesture protective clothing that has been treated with tick repellent
• Avoid wooded or grassy areas that have a loftier amount of leaf droppings
• Walk in the heart of trials
• Conduct a full-body tick check at least once a solar day. Look in areas such equally armpits, navels, groin, between legs, in the hair, and in and around the ears
• Check your gear and pets for ticks Note: Pets should receive regular tick prevention regimens. Contact your vet for more data.

If caught early, treating Lyme affliction is also adequately simple. The most common antibiotic used in treating a Lyme disease infection is doxycycline. Still, some people can't take this antibiotic, and then amoxicillin or cefuroxime can be used instead, so long equally the dosage is higher and the handling is longer in elapsing.

Other treatment options volition depend upon the severity of the infection. For example, cardiac problems may be treated separately from the infection itself.

Complications Associated With Lyme Illness

Over time, if left untreated, symptoms can become severe and pb to problems with the heart, neurological organisation, muscles, and joints.

Moreover, at that place is a miracle called postal service-Lyme affliction syndrome, which is currently beingness investigated by researchers. Although picayune is known nigh post-Lyme disease syndrome, individuals find that symptoms can be chronic and impact their day-to-day lives even if they were treated for Lyme affliction when symptoms first occurred.

With this in listen, treating Lyme disease early is essential for a full recovery. If y'all notice a tick on your torso, remove information technology immediately — and properly. Even if you don't see a tick, simply notice an unusual seize with teeth or experience symptoms of Lyme disease after venturing into a grassy or wooded area, seek medical attending immediately to ensure you receive proper handling.

Resources Links:

• "Lyme borreliosis: diagnosis and management" via BMJ
• "Lyme borreliosis" via Nature
• "Review of European and American guidelines for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis" via ScienceDirect
• "Lyme affliction: A rigorous review of diagnostic criteria and treatment" via ScienceDirect
• "Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Lyme Affliction, Man Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis" via JAMA Network
• "Lyme Disease — Connecticut" via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• "Tick Removal" via Centers for Disease Command and Prevention (CDC)

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