![]() ![]() ![]() It is found all across the United States, with a particularly high incidence in the East, Midwest, and West Coast. Lyme disease has been found on every continent except Antarctica. Some doctors believe other types of human-to-human transmission are possible but little is known for certain. If pregnant women are infected, they sometimes pass Lyme disease to their unborn children and, while not common, stillbirth has occurred. The longer it stays attached, the more likely it will transmit the Lyme and other pathogens into your bloodstream. Once a tick has attached, if undisturbed it may feed for several days. Because they are so tiny and their bite is painless, many people do not even realize they have been bitten. Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed. Most people get Lyme from the bite of the nymphal, or immature, form of the tick. Misdiagnosis with these other diseases may delay the correct diagnosis and treatment as the underlying infection progresses unchecked. Patients with Lyme disease are frequently misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and various psychiatric illnesses, including depression. It can affect any organ of the body, including the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, and the heart. Lyme is called “The Great Imitator,” because its symptoms mimic many other diseases. Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete-a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. burgdorferi under atomic force microscope. ![]() You will receive a report that you can print out and take with you to your next doctor’s appointment.Ĭheck Your Symptoms What is Lyme disease? has developed a Lyme disease symptom checklist to help you document your exposure to Lyme disease and common symptoms for your healthcare provider. The CDC notes that it is most common in children, older adults, and others such as firefighters and park rangers who spend time in outdoor activities and have higher exposure to ticks. Many experts believe the true number of cases is much higher. However, because diagnosing Lyme can be difficult, many people who actually have Lyme may be misdiagnosed with other conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 476,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the US every year. Although people may think of Lyme as an East Coast disease, it is found throughout the United States, as well as in more than sixty other countries. These tiny arachnids are typically found in wooded and grassy areas. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted by Ixodes ticks, also known as deer ticks or blacklegged ticks. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |