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by SitasMom on 17 December 2009 - 22:12
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease
Signs and symptoms
Lyme disease can affect multiple body systems and produce a range of symptoms. Not all patients with Lyme disease will have all symptoms, and many of the symptoms are not specific to Lyme disease but can occur with other diseases as well. The incubation period from infection to the onset of symptoms is usually one to two weeks, but can be much shorter (days), or much longer (months to years). Symptoms most often occur from May through September, because the nymphal stage of the tick is responsible for most cases.[14] Asymptomatic infection exists, but occurs in less than 7% of infected individuals in the United States.[15] Asymptomatic infection may be much more common among those infected in Europe.[16]
[edit] Stage 1: Early localized infection
Common bullseye rash pattern associated with Lyme disease
Characteristic "bulls-eye" rash caused by Lyme diseaseThe classic sign of early local infection with Lyme disease is a circular, outwardly expanding rash called erythema chronicum migrans (also erythema migrans or EM), which occurs at the site of the tick bite 3 to 30 days after the tick bite [17][18] The rash is red, and may be warm, but is generally painless. Classically, the innermost portion remains dark red and becomes indurated; the outer edge remains red; and the portion in between clears, giving the appearance of a bullseye. However, partial clearing is uncommon, and the bullseye pattern more often involves central redness.[19]
Erythema migrans is thought to occur in about 80% of infected patients.[18] Patients can also experience flu-like symptoms such as headache, muscle soreness, fever, and malaise.[20] Lyme disease can progress to later stages even in patients who do not develop a rash.[21]
[edit] Stage 2: Early disseminated infection
Within days to weeks after the onset of local infection, the borrelia bacteria may begin to spread through the bloodstream. Erythema chronicum migrans may develop at sites across the body that bear no relation to the original tick bite.[22] Another skin condition, which is apparently absent in North American patients but occurs in Europe, is borrelial lymphocytoma, a purplish lump that develops on the ear lobe, nipple, or scrotum.[23] Other discrete symptoms include migrating pain in muscles, joint, and tendons, and heart palpitations and dizziness caused by changes in heartbeat.
Acute neurological problems, which appear in 15% of untreated patients, encompass a spectrum of disorders.[20] These include facial or Bell's palsy, which is the loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face, as well as meningitis, which involves severe headaches, neck stiffness, and sensitivity to light. Radiculoneuritis causes shooting pains that may interfere with sleep as well as abnormal skin sensations. Mild encephalitis may lead to memory loss, sleep disturbances, or mood changes. In addition, some case reports have described altered mental status as the only symptom seen in a few cases of early neuroborreliosis.[24]
[edit] Stage 3: Late persistent infection
Deer tick life cycleAfter several months, untreated or inadequately treated patients may go on to develop severe and chronic symptoms that affect many parts of the body, including the brain, nerves, eyes, joints and heart. Myriad disabling symptoms can occur, including permanent paraplegia in the most extreme cases.[25]
Chronic neurologic symptoms occur in up to 5% of untreated patients.[20] A polyneuropathy that involves shooting pains, numbness, and tingling in the hands or feet may develop. A neurologic syndrome called Lyme encephalopathy is associated with subtle cognitive problems, such as difficulties with concentration and short-term memory. These p
Signs and symptoms
Lyme disease can affect multiple body systems and produce a range of symptoms. Not all patients with Lyme disease will have all symptoms, and many of the symptoms are not specific to Lyme disease but can occur with other diseases as well. The incubation period from infection to the onset of symptoms is usually one to two weeks, but can be much shorter (days), or much longer (months to years). Symptoms most often occur from May through September, because the nymphal stage of the tick is responsible for most cases.[14] Asymptomatic infection exists, but occurs in less than 7% of infected individuals in the United States.[15] Asymptomatic infection may be much more common among those infected in Europe.[16]
[edit] Stage 1: Early localized infection
Common bullseye rash pattern associated with Lyme disease
Characteristic "bulls-eye" rash caused by Lyme diseaseThe classic sign of early local infection with Lyme disease is a circular, outwardly expanding rash called erythema chronicum migrans (also erythema migrans or EM), which occurs at the site of the tick bite 3 to 30 days after the tick bite [17][18] The rash is red, and may be warm, but is generally painless. Classically, the innermost portion remains dark red and becomes indurated; the outer edge remains red; and the portion in between clears, giving the appearance of a bullseye. However, partial clearing is uncommon, and the bullseye pattern more often involves central redness.[19]
Erythema migrans is thought to occur in about 80% of infected patients.[18] Patients can also experience flu-like symptoms such as headache, muscle soreness, fever, and malaise.[20] Lyme disease can progress to later stages even in patients who do not develop a rash.[21]
[edit] Stage 2: Early disseminated infection
Within days to weeks after the onset of local infection, the borrelia bacteria may begin to spread through the bloodstream. Erythema chronicum migrans may develop at sites across the body that bear no relation to the original tick bite.[22] Another skin condition, which is apparently absent in North American patients but occurs in Europe, is borrelial lymphocytoma, a purplish lump that develops on the ear lobe, nipple, or scrotum.[23] Other discrete symptoms include migrating pain in muscles, joint, and tendons, and heart palpitations and dizziness caused by changes in heartbeat.
Acute neurological problems, which appear in 15% of untreated patients, encompass a spectrum of disorders.[20] These include facial or Bell's palsy, which is the loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face, as well as meningitis, which involves severe headaches, neck stiffness, and sensitivity to light. Radiculoneuritis causes shooting pains that may interfere with sleep as well as abnormal skin sensations. Mild encephalitis may lead to memory loss, sleep disturbances, or mood changes. In addition, some case reports have described altered mental status as the only symptom seen in a few cases of early neuroborreliosis.[24]
[edit] Stage 3: Late persistent infection
Deer tick life cycleAfter several months, untreated or inadequately treated patients may go on to develop severe and chronic symptoms that affect many parts of the body, including the brain, nerves, eyes, joints and heart. Myriad disabling symptoms can occur, including permanent paraplegia in the most extreme cases.[25]
Chronic neurologic symptoms occur in up to 5% of untreated patients.[20] A polyneuropathy that involves shooting pains, numbness, and tingling in the hands or feet may develop. A neurologic syndrome called Lyme encephalopathy is associated with subtle cognitive problems, such as difficulties with concentration and short-term memory. These p
by mking on 18 December 2009 - 02:12
What is with all the copying and pasting of wikipedia? Lymes disease presents itself very differently in dogs. Usually a slight limp or soreness in the joints is why they present at the hospital. At the clinic I work at we see this on a daily basis, the first thing we do is a Snap 4DX test, and they usually show Lyme disease if they have a limp, though it may be slight. It is very easily treated with a long course of Doxycycline. On a side note we offer the vaccine but don't push it, as even the vax dogs have come up positive for the disease.
by beetree on 18 December 2009 - 02:12
Don't rely on a bulls-eye rash for a clue. If your kid complains of pains in their upper thighs that wake him up at night, get him tested. If they complain of jaw pain, get them tested. If one side of their face is suddenly paralyzed, (Bells palsy) get them tested. Three weeks of doxycyclene antibiotics should do the trick. There is debate among physicians who just can't agree if re-infection is cumulative. AMA says no, but I don't believe them. The rule of thumb here is, if any such symptoms reappear in your childs future, get them retested for another round of antibiotics. Not treating this disease brings on the worse neurological problems in the future.
I suggest vaccination of your pets. My vet says effectiveness is around 80%. Cats rarely seem to get this disease, some say because they are better at grooming and pulling off the ticks.
I suggest vaccination of your pets. My vet says effectiveness is around 80%. Cats rarely seem to get this disease, some say because they are better at grooming and pulling off the ticks.
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