Lyme disease is found worldwide and the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in North America and Europe. The disease is transmitted by the bite of a deer tick (Ixodes Scapularis) harboring bacteria named Borrelia burgdorferii (b. burgdorferi) in North America and Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii in Europe and Asia. The first documentation of the disease occurred in 1883 when Dr. Alfred Buchwald treated a German patient with erythema migrans; A bulls-eye pattern rash that occurs in 70-80% of Lyme disease cases. The disease received its name in 1975 after two mothers reported occurrences of arthritis and juvenile arthritis in Lyme, Connecticut. These unexplained symptoms sparked a thorough investigation conducted by Yale School of
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This region accounts for 96% of American cases due to the heavy population of white-tailed deer, rodents, and birds. The disease is prevalent in all ethnicities, ages, and genders within proximity of a deer tick’s environment which includes heavily wooded and grassy areas. Since deer ticks are most active in the warmer months, avoidance of these areas is especially recommended from April to September. Certain professions, such as park rangers, are at a greater risk due to their year round exposure to the deer tick’s habitat. The risk of the disease affects 80 countries worldwide, including a concentration of European incidences (in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Sweden) with similar statistics as North America. In total, researchers found 300,000 new cases per year in the United States and 232,125 new cases per year in …show more content…
The signs and symptoms occur in stages called early localized, early disseminated, and late disseminated. Early signs and symptoms of the disease vary from person to person and occur within 3 to 30 days with Stage one and two commonly overlapping. The first stage may include a bulls-eye type rash which can feel warm to the touch and expand up to 12 inches with central clearing. Early disseminated Lyme disease occurs when bacteria begins to advance throughout the body. Symptoms for this stage may include additional rashes on other areas of the body along with fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and problems with vision. Late symptoms may develop weeks, months, or even years after treatment and include arthritis, severe joint pain and swelling, Bell's palsy (weak or paralyzed facial muscles), brain disorders, heart palpitations, and chest pain .
Prevention of Lyme disease by avoiding exposure or a tick’s bite is the best treatment. Anyone that may come in contact with these vectors is strongly advised to stay on park trails, wear a long sleeved shirt and pants (tucked into socks), wear bug repellent, and shower after exposure to outdoors. If infected, antibiotic therapy is recommended for a minimum of 14 days depending on the length of exposure and age of the
This region accounts for 96% of American cases due to the heavy population of white-tailed deer, rodents, and birds. The disease is prevalent in all ethnicities, ages, and genders within proximity of a deer tick’s environment which includes heavily wooded and grassy areas. Since deer ticks are most active in the warmer months, avoidance of these areas is especially recommended from April to September. Certain professions, such as park rangers, are at a greater risk due to their year round exposure to the deer tick’s habitat. The risk of the disease affects 80 countries worldwide, including a concentration of European incidences (in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Sweden) with similar statistics as North America. In total, researchers found 300,000 new cases per year in the United States and 232,125 new cases per year in …show more content…
The signs and symptoms occur in stages called early localized, early disseminated, and late disseminated. Early signs and symptoms of the disease vary from person to person and occur within 3 to 30 days with Stage one and two commonly overlapping. The first stage may include a bulls-eye type rash which can feel warm to the touch and expand up to 12 inches with central clearing. Early disseminated Lyme disease occurs when bacteria begins to advance throughout the body. Symptoms for this stage may include additional rashes on other areas of the body along with fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and problems with vision. Late symptoms may develop weeks, months, or even years after treatment and include arthritis, severe joint pain and swelling, Bell's palsy (weak or paralyzed facial muscles), brain disorders, heart palpitations, and chest pain .
Prevention of Lyme disease by avoiding exposure or a tick’s bite is the best treatment. Anyone that may come in contact with these vectors is strongly advised to stay on park trails, wear a long sleeved shirt and pants (tucked into socks), wear bug repellent, and shower after exposure to outdoors. If infected, antibiotic therapy is recommended for a minimum of 14 days depending on the length of exposure and age of the