Lyme disease - neurological complications: Difference between revisions

Lyme disease
Synonyms	Lyme borreliosis
Pronounce	N/A
Field	Infectious disease
Symptoms	Expanding area of redness at the site of a tick bite, fever, headache, tiredness
Complications	Facial nerve paralysis, arthritis, meningitis
Onset	A week after a bite
Duration	N/A
Types	N/A
Causes	Borrelia spread by ticks
Risks	N/A
Diagnosis	N/A
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	Prevention of tick bites (clothing the limbs, DEET), doxycycline
Treatment
Medication	Doxycycline, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	365,000 cases per year
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 12:59, 18 March 2025

Infectious disease caused by Borrelia bacteria, spread by ticks

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, primarily the black-legged tick or deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). It is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere, with symptoms that vary widely and can affect multiple body systems.

Symptoms[edit]

The most common early symptom is an expanding area of redness at the site of a tick bite, often referred to as erythema migrans. This rash typically has a "bull's-eye" appearance, with a red outer ring and a central clearing, although this pattern is not always present. Other early symptoms include:

Without treatment, Lyme disease may progress to affect the nervous system, joints, and other organs.

Stages of Lyme disease[edit]

Early localized stage[edit]

This stage occurs days to weeks after a tick bite. Symptoms include the classic erythema migrans rash, along with flu-like symptoms.

Early disseminated stage[edit]

Weeks to months after the initial infection, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body. Common complications include:

Facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy)
Pain and swelling in large joints (Lyme arthritis)
Cardiac complications, such as Lyme carditis, which can cause irregular heart rhythms (heart block)

Late disseminated stage[edit]

If untreated, Lyme disease can lead to persistent symptoms months to years after infection. Symptoms include:

Chronic joint inflammation, particularly in the knees
Neurological symptoms, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and neuropathy
Severe fatigue

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosing Lyme disease can be challenging because its symptoms mimic those of other conditions. Diagnosis is typically based on:

Clinical evaluation of symptoms, including the presence of erythema migrans
A history of tick exposure
Blood tests, such as ELISA and Western blot, to detect antibodies against Borrelia bacteria

Prevention[edit]

Preventing tick bites is the best way to avoid Lyme disease. Strategies include:

Wearing protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants
Using tick repellents containing DEET or permethrin
Conducting thorough tick checks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas
Promptly removing ticks using fine-tipped tweezers

A single dose of doxycycline may be recommended as prophylaxis in certain cases following a high-risk tick bite.

Treatment[edit]

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, which are highly effective in early stages. Commonly used antibiotics include:

Doxycycline (first-line treatment for adults and children over 8 years old)
Amoxicillin (preferred for pregnant women and younger children)
Cefuroxime or ceftriaxone for severe or late-stage cases

Treatment duration typically ranges from 10 to 28 days, depending on the stage and severity of the disease.

Prognosis[edit]

Most individuals recover fully with appropriate antibiotic treatment. However, a small number of patients may experience persistent symptoms, referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). These symptoms can include fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties, although their exact cause is not well understood.

Epidemiology[edit]

Lyme disease is most common in temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. In the United States, cases are concentrated in the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast.

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 | symptoms        = Expanding area of redness at the site of a [[tick]] bite, [[fever]], [[headache]], [[fatigue (medical)|tiredness]]
 | complications   = [[Facial nerve paralysis]], [[arthritis]], [[meningitis]]
-| onset           = A week after a bite<ref name=CDC2013S/>
+| onset           = A week after a bite
-| duration        =
 | causes          = ''[[Borrelia]]'' spread by ticks
-| risks           =
-| diagnosis       = Based on symptoms, tick exposure, blood tests
-| differential    =
 | prevention      = Prevention of tick bites (clothing the limbs, [[DEET]]), [[doxycycline]]
 | treatment       =
 | medication      = [[Doxycycline]], [[amoxicillin]], [[ceftriaxone]], [[cefuroxime]]
-| prognosis       =
+| frequency       = 365,000 cases per year
-| frequency       = 365,000 per year
-| deaths          =
 }}
-[[Lyme disease]] is caused by a bacterial organism that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Most people with Lyme disease develop a characteristic skin rash around the area of the bite. The [[rash]] may feel hot to the touch, and vary in size, shape, and color, but it will often have a "bull's eye" appearance (a red ring with a clear center). However, there are those who will not develop the rash, which can make Lyme disease hard to diagnose because its symptoms and signs mimic those of many other diseases.
+'''[[Lyme disease]]''' is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium ''[[Borrelia]]'', transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, primarily the [[black-legged tick]] or deer tick (''[[Ixodes scapularis]]''). It is the most common [[tick-borne disease]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]], with symptoms that vary widely and can affect multiple body systems.
-==Incubation period==
+== Symptoms ==
-Anywhere from 7 to 14 days (or in some cases, 30 days) following an infected tick's bite, the first stage of Lyme disease may begin with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.
+The most common early symptom is an expanding area of redness at the site of a [[tick bite]], often referred to as [[erythema migrans]]. This rash typically has a "bull's-eye" appearance, with a red outer ring and a central clearing, although this pattern is not always present. Other early symptoms include:
+* [[Fever]]
+* [[Fatigue (medical)|Fatigue]]
+* [[Headache]]
+* [[Chills]]
+* [[Muscle pain]] and [[joint pain]]
-==Neurological complications==
+Without treatment, Lyme disease may progress to affect the [[nervous system]], [[joints]], and other organs.
-Neurological complications most often occur in the second stage of Lyme disease, with numbness, pain, weakness, [[Bell's palsy]] (paralysis of the facial muscles), visual disturbances, and meningitis symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, and severe headache. Other problems, which may not appear until weeks, months, or years after a tick bite, include decreased concentration, irritability, memory and sleep disorders, and nerve damage in the arms and legs.
-==Treatment==
+== Stages of Lyme disease ==
-Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics under the supervision of a physician.
+=== Early localized stage ===
+This stage occurs days to weeks after a tick bite. Symptoms include the classic erythema migrans rash, along with flu-like symptoms.
-==Prognosis==
+=== Early disseminated stage ===
-Most individuals with Lyme disease respond well to antibiotics and have full recovery. In a small percentage of individuals, symptoms may continue or recur, requiring additional antibiotic treatment. Varying degrees of permanent joint or nervous system damage may develop in individuals with late-stage Lyme disease.
+Weeks to months after the initial infection, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body. Common complications include:
+* [[Facial nerve paralysis]] (Bell's palsy)
+* Pain and swelling in large joints ([[Lyme arthritis]])
+* Cardiac complications, such as [[Lyme carditis]], which can cause irregular heart rhythms ([[heart block]])
+=== Late disseminated stage ===
+If untreated, Lyme disease can lead to persistent symptoms months to years after infection. Symptoms include:
+* Chronic joint inflammation, particularly in the knees
+* Neurological symptoms, such as [[memory loss]], difficulty concentrating, and [[neuropathy]]
+* Severe [[fatigue]]
+== Diagnosis ==
+Diagnosing Lyme disease can be challenging because its symptoms mimic those of other conditions. Diagnosis is typically based on:
+* Clinical evaluation of symptoms, including the presence of erythema migrans
+* A history of tick exposure
+* [[Serology|Blood tests]], such as [[ELISA]] and [[Western blot]], to detect antibodies against ''Borrelia'' bacteria
+== Prevention ==
+Preventing tick bites is the best way to avoid Lyme disease. Strategies include:
+* Wearing protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants
+* Using tick repellents containing [[DEET]] or [[permethrin]]
+* Conducting thorough tick checks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas
+* Promptly removing ticks using fine-tipped tweezers
+A single dose of [[doxycycline]] may be recommended as prophylaxis in certain cases following a high-risk tick bite.
+== Treatment ==
+Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, which are highly effective in early stages. Commonly used antibiotics include:
+* [[Doxycycline]] (first-line treatment for adults and children over 8 years old)
+* [[Amoxicillin]] (preferred for pregnant women and younger children)
+* [[Cefuroxime]] or [[ceftriaxone]] for severe or late-stage cases
+Treatment duration typically ranges from 10 to 28 days, depending on the stage and severity of the disease.
+== Prognosis ==
+Most individuals recover fully with appropriate antibiotic treatment. However, a small number of patients may experience persistent symptoms, referred to as [[Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome]] (PTLDS). These symptoms can include fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties, although their exact cause is not well understood.
+== Epidemiology ==
+Lyme disease is most common in temperate regions of [[North America]], [[Europe]], and [[Asia]]. In the United States, cases are concentrated in the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]], [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]], and [[West Coast]].
+== See also ==
+* [[Tick-borne diseases]]
+* [[Zoonotic disease]]
+* [[Erythema migrans]]
 {{Tick-borne diseases}}
 {{Gram-negative non-proteobacterial diseases}}
-{{Authority control}}
+[[Category:Lyme disease]]
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Lyme Disease}}
-[[Category:Lyme disease| ]]
 [[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
 [[Category:Bacterium-related cutaneous conditions]]
-[[Category:Medical controversies]]
 [[Category:Neurodegenerative disorders]]
-[[Category:RTTEM]]
 [[Category:Tick-borne diseases]]
+[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
+{{Infectious-disease-stub}}

Lyme disease

Synonyms	Lyme borreliosis
Pronounce	N/A
Field	Infectious disease
Symptoms	Expanding area of redness at the site of a tick bite, fever, headache, tiredness
Complications	Facial nerve paralysis, arthritis, meningitis
Onset	A week after a bite
Duration	N/A
Types	N/A
Causes	Borrelia spread by ticks
Risks	N/A
Diagnosis	N/A
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	Prevention of tick bites (clothing the limbs, DEET), doxycycline
Treatment
Medication	Doxycycline, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	365,000 cases per year
Deaths	N/A