Contents:
Medical Video: Lyme Disease | Chris’s Story
1. Definition
What is lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected lice.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Symptoms usually include fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash on the skin called migraine erythema. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, liver and nervous system.
2. How to overcome them
What should I do?
The chances of you getting lyme due to tick bites depend on the type of tick that bites you, where the bite is located, and how long the bite lasts. This is why it is very important to get rid of fleas immediately and check your body every day if you live in an area that has a lot of fleas.
When do I have to see a doctor?
If you feel pain within a few weeks after tick bites, immediately see a health care provider. Common symptoms of lyme disease include rash, fever, malaise, facial paralysis, and arthritis. Lice can also spread other diseases, so it is important to be aware of any diseases followed by flea bites.
3. Prevention
Reducing lice attacks is the best way to fight lyme disease, because vaccines for lyme are no longer available. Vaccine makers have stopped production since 2002, due to low consumer demand. The protection provided by vaccines decreases over time. Therefore, if you had lyme disease before 2002, you might no longer be protected against lyme disease.
