Lyme disease can become chronic if not detected early

World Lyme Disease Day

World Lyme Disease Day is observed annually on May 1 to raise awareness of this vector-borne disease. transmitted by ticks. The purpose of this day is to educate the public about the risks, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease, which affects thousands of people around the world. Lyme disease has been a serious medical problem since its discovery in the 1970s, but with the right understanding and action, its impact can be reduced.

Lyme disease is a zootic disease and therefore a vector-borne disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these types of diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases and cause more than 700,000 deaths annually. In Spain it is classified as Notifiable disease (EDO), as stated from Carlos III Health Institute According to their estimates, the incidence of the disease in Spain is known approximately and is about 0.25 cases per hundred thousand inhabitants.

Bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi This is the main cause of Lyme disease, but through a tick bite It is associated with other bacteria, viruses and associated parasites, which are called co-infections.. It is transmitted primarily to humans through the bites of infected Ixodes ticks, as explained in Mayo Clinic. These types of ticks are present in Europe and America and carry bacteria, so they can transmit it to people when they attach to the body while feeding.

Disinformation

Most people who get Lyme disease do not remember being bitten by a tick. Moreover, many of the symptoms of this disease are related to other conditions and are confusing, according to the doctor. SOS Lime. Diagnosis of Lyme disease is usually based on combination of clinical symptoms, a history of exposure to ticks, and laboratory tests, such as blood tests to detect antibodies to the bacteria. However, tests may be inconclusive in the early stages of the disease, highlighting the importance of clinical judgment by a healthcare professional. This is why SOS Lyme believes there is a lack of education and greater awareness about this pathology.

If the infection is not recognized and treated promptly, it can become chronic, leading to chronic Lyme disease, which presents with a variety of persistent and disabling symptoms that They mimic various diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, Crohn’s disease or chronic fatigue syndrome and others. This is why the Chronic Lyme Association of Spain (ELK) claim that she is known as the “great imitator”.

In addition, SOS Lyme explains that there are a lot of ignorance society of this disease, and also emphasize misunderstanding on the part of doctors and even the patient’s environment, despite the fact that the symptoms develop and seriously limit the quality of life of the victims.

Stages

According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease can occur in different stages. The first symptoms of Lyme disease usually appear 3 to 30 days after the tick bite. During this first stage of the disease, symptoms are limited and usually include a rash around the bite site, fever, headaches, joint pain and stiffness. This phase is called early localized disease. If detected early, the disease can be easily treated with antibiotics..

If not treated early, Lyme disease can worsen and cause more severe symptoms 3 to 10 weeks after a tick bite: generalized rash, pain or stiffness in the neck, muscle weakness on one or both sides of the face, immune system activity in the heart tissue causing an irregular heartbeat, pain that starts in the back and hip and spreads to the legs , numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, painful swelling in the tissues of the eyes or eyelids, and even loss of vision; this stage is known as early disseminated disease.

Finally, in stage three Lyme disease, early stage symptoms may appear between 2 and 12 months and after the tick bite. The stiffness becomes more intense can cause a skin condition called acrodermatitis chronica atrophica, where the skin on the backs of the hands and tops of the feet becomes discolored, swollen, and tissue or joints may be damaged. This stage is called late spread of the disease.

Lyme may come back chronic, and according to SOS Lyme, these cases require comprehensive treatment by a Lyme expert physician. This treatment combines several antibiotics to stimulate the immune system and remove the neurotoxins that cause the disease. Borrelia it happens over time.

Prevention

Prevention is key in the fight against Lyme disease. People living or visiting areas where ticks are common are advised to take precautionary measuressuch as using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing and long sleeves, and carefully checking the body after being outdoors, especially in wooded or weedy areas.