Lyme disease is an unusual illness. It occurs commonly, but it causes unique and confusing symptoms over time. It is often difficult to discern if you have Lyme disease in the early stages, but this is critical.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and, Borrelia mayonii, which are spread through a bite from a tick. A tick is a tiny parasite and arachnid that feeds off the blood of a host, such as humans. Long-term effects of the bite can be dangerous, so timely diagnosis is crucial.
The providers at AFC Urgent Care Toms River can look at your symptoms and tell you if you have Lyme. As mentioned previously, it’s critical to get your symptoms looked at as early as possible. Visit AFC Toms River soon after noticing a tick bite for diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of Lyme
At the beginning of infection, Lyme disease has some symptoms similar to other ailments. These shared symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue. There is also a symptom unique to Lyme disease called erythema migrans, which is a strong indication that treatment is needed.
Erythema migrans are a rash that expands over time from the infection area and may feel warm when touched. These symptoms may occur up to 30 days after infection and should be monitored closely to help with earlier treatment.
Leaving Undiagnosed Symptoms
Lyme disease spreads to the nervous system, joints, and heart if left untreated. New symptoms will develop overtime related to the area affected. These more developed symptoms are more severe and can cause permanent damage.
They can appear months after the initial bite and include: shortness of breath, severe neck stiffness, numbness and tingling, nerve pain, spinal cord or brain inflammation, heart palpitations, dizziness, arthritis, additional erythema migrans rashes, severe headaches, and facial palsy. These symptoms indicate that treatment by a medical professional is required as soon as they are recognized.
Diagnosing Lyme
Lyme disease can be diagnosed with laboratory testing. There is a two-step test process to ensure proper diagnosis. These tests look for antibodies in the blood made by the body to defend against Lyme disease. These tests must be done after a significant amount of time has passed since the bite, as antibodies don’t immediately develop.
Treating Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, once diagnosed, can be treated by a doctor. Antibiotics are used to eliminate Lyme disease and are administered based on the severity and area affected by the disease.
Antibiotics can be given intravenously or taken orally. In the case of Lyme carditis, wherein the heart is involved, a pacemaker may be required temporarily. Lyme disease can cause permanent damage to these affected key areas or can even be fatal if left untreated too long.
