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LYME
DISEASE
Lyme
Disease is
an infection caused by the spirochete bacteria
Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted by a bite
from a black legged (deer) tick. In Litchfield
County the species of ticks associated with Lyme
Disease is Ixodes scapularis. Lyme Disease often
begins as a skin rash. Some people do not know a
tick has bitten them and some people do not get
the classic red skin rash. Antibiotics are used to
treat the disease. If left untreated the disease
can progress to a more serious disease involving
the joints, nerves, and heart.
Other
Tick-borne Diseases
- The
same tick that transmits Lyme Disease, may
transmit other diseases at the same time.
Research indicates that it takes 24 to 36
hours after attachment to transmit Lyme
Disease BUT other diseases can be transmitted
in less time.
- Co-infection
with two or three tick-borne diseases may
complicate diagnosis, increase severity of
symptoms, and prolong illness.
ANAPLASMOSIS
(ehrlichiosis)
Several
different Ehrlichia bacteria exist but the one
associated with the black-legged deer tick is
called Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis, HGE.
Anaplasmosis
can
most commonly cause high fever, chills, sweating,
sever headaches and muscle aches. Fatigue and
gastrointestinal complaints may include nausea,
vomiting and diarrhea. The illness may vary from
mild to severe to life-threatening. Effective
antibiotics eradicate the infection and fewer
problems develop with earlier treatment. Other
pre-existing conditions may worsen the course of
action.
BABESIOSIS
Babesiosis
is an
infection caused by a malaria-like protozoan. The
disease usually begins with non-specific, flu-like
symptoms 1-3 weeks after a black-legged deer tick
bite. Symptoms often include spiking fevers and
chills. The disease may result in anemia-causing
fatigue and poor exercise tolerance. The infection
may be asymptomatic to mild in the young. It can
be severe and even life-threatening in patients
without spleens, immune-compromised patients, and
older patients with pre-existing medical
conditions. Fewer complications occur with early
treatment and effective antibiotics.
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