THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF LYME DISEASE

The Causes, Symptoms, and Effects of Lyme

Disease on the Human Body

Eleni N. Haskos

Gateway Community College

THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF LYME DISEASE

Abstract

This paper explores the prevention, causes, and symptoms of Lyme disease. What type of

locations people live in that are more likely to have a higher chance of getting Lyme disease.

What age demographics are more likely to be targeted by ticks. The proper ways of prevention,

including: covering up, repellants, and tick-proofing. If a tick were to be attached to the body this

explains the correct was of removing a tick. It is very important to properly remove a tick, this is

a key part of diminishing your risk of getting Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by four main

species of bacteria that is found in black-legged ticks. The different types of bacteria are found in

specific regions of the world. Although the bacteria may be different, the causes are the same.

There are many different types of symptoms, it is important to check for early signs because this

can lower the risk of long-term health issues. It is also important to check yourself if there are

late signs or less common symptoms. Finally, this paper will cover the complications of not

treating Lyme disease and when it is time to see a doctor.

Keywords: Erythema migrans, Meningitis, Bell’s palsy, Lyme arthritis

THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF LYME DISEASE

The Causes, Symptoms, and Effects of Lyme

Disease on the Human Body

Numerous people have suffered from the small yet mighty black-legged tick. Each year these

tiny ticks’ give 300,000 Americans Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by four main species

of bacteria. In the United States, Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii are responsible for

Lyme disease. In Europe and Asia, the Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii bacteria are to blame.

Lyme disease is transmitted by the black-legged tick, more commonly known as the ‘deer tick’.

If you live or spend a lot of time outdoors, particularly in grassy and heavily wooded areas, the

risk of getting Lyme disease increases drastically. There are ways of lowering your risk and it is

all in the prevention methods. There are early signs and symptoms that are very important to pay

attention to so one can undergo getting treatment as soon as possible. If one does not notice these

early signs as time progresses, the symptoms will change or worsen. If the signs seemed to have

gone away it is still recommended to go to your doctor. Do not avoid getting checked, this can

affect anyone. It is very important to be diligent, if not treated Lyme disease can cause

unrepairable damage.

Deer ticks are primarily found in the heavily wooded Northeast and Midwest. Ticks go

through three stages of life, larva, nymph, and adult, each of which depends on a host for food.

The larva is born in the summer and get their food from small animals and birds. At this stage

they are not a problem for humans. Once they go from larva to nymphs’ humans should start to

worry, the nymph is responsible for most of Lyme disease cases. Nymphs are active from early

spring to summer, which is the height of the season for outdoor activity. Due to their small size it

is very difficult to see them, once the tick has gone into its adult phase they are more easily

visible. Since they are much more visible, it is more likely to be able to remove it within a 48-
THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF LYME DISEASE

hour period. Adults whose occupation involves being outdoors for majority of the work day have

an increased risk of getting Lyme disease. It is also very important to check young children, due

to their height it makes them an easy target for ticks to attach. Ticks attack easily to exposed

skin. Be sure to check yourself, your children, and pets, be diligent a tick is the size of a pin

head.

To contract Lyme disease an infected deer tick must bite exposed skin. Once the tick is

latched onto the skin the bite will allow bacteria to go into the bloodstream. A deer tick must be

attached to the skin for 36-48 hours (Mayo Clinic) for Lyme disease to be transmitted. An

attached tick that appears swollen may have fed long enough for the transfer of bacteria.

The word Lyme comes from Lyme, Connecticut, the town where it was first diagnosed in

1975 after an outbreak of arthritis (Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health). Lyme disease can cause

irreversible damage to the body, it is important to check for tick bites after outdoor activities. A

tick bite is a small, red bump that looks very similarly to a mosquito bite. The bite appears at the

site of the tick or after tick removal. After removal the redness could go down in 3-4 days. This

red bump does not initially indicate Lyme disease. But from the three to thirty-day mark, the red

bump may increase in size and at the center the skin will appear clear, causing a bullseye effect.

This is a rash known as erythema migrans. The rash will grow over time if untreated, it can

expand to 12 inches. The rash may feel warm, but it typically does not feel itchy or painful.

These are the tell tail signs that Lyme disease is present. Although, not everyone will develop

this rash. The other symptoms are: fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, and neck

stiffness. If untreated for weeks, months, or years, the rash can spread to other parts of the body.

There may also be signs of extreme joint pain and inflammation (Lyme arthritis). “You might

develop inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain (meningitis), temporary

THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF LYME DISEASE

paralysis of one side of your face (Bell's palsy), numbness or weakness in your limbs, and

impaired muscle movement” (Mayo Clinic).

It is very important to check for tick bites, it can prevent these very harmful health problems.

Check for ticks in the hairline, armpits, waist, back of neck, groin, behind the knees, between

toes, belly button, inside and behind the ears. If you have noticed a tick, there is a proper way of

removal. Do not handle the tick with bare hands. Fine-tipped tweezers are best, they do not

squeeze the body of the tick which would potentially create back-flow of infected fluids. These

tweezers increase precision for grasping the head. Grasp the tick head as closely to the skin as

possible and pull upwards (not jerking or twisting) with even pressure. Clean the area with

rubbing alcohol to kill any exposed bacteria. It is best to save the tick by putting it a sealed

plastic bag with the date written and put into the freezer. This will allow the doctor to confirm

the type of tick and make easier diagnoses and treatment.

A will inform you if you are positive or negative for Lyme disease. If the results are positive

for Lyme disease in the early stages antibiotics will be prescribed. Patients typically take

doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime from ten days to three weeks. About 90% of people are

cured of the infection. The other 10% have something called post-treatment Lyme disease

syndrome, they are faced with long-term joint pain, fatigue, and short-term memory loss or

mental confusion. There is no treatment for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. The 30,000

people a year that feel chronic pain must get average treatments done for their irregular pain.

Experts are unsure why 10% of people go uncured, they speculate that the body could continue

fighting the infection after the bacteria is gone, much like an autoimmune disorder. Those who

are cured the first time will be unsure if they truly have Lyme disease again if they were to be

tested afterwards. Individuals who have gotten Lyme disease will always come up positive when
THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF LYME DISEASE

tested. Which makes it difficult to properly diagnose someone and decide if they need

antibiotics.

Instead of risking yourself developing chronic pain, follow these easy prevention methods. If

entering a heavily wooded or grassy area wear long light-colored pants (ticks become visible)

tucked into socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and gloves. Apply 20 percent or higher

concentration of DEET which is found in insect repellent. Be sure to read labels and be careful

while handling chemicals. Try to walk on the trails and put your dog on a leash. As for tick

proofing the yard first clear any brush or leaves, mow the lawn regularly, and neatly stack wood

in a dry/sunny place. These few steps can save yourself and family from becoming a host for an

infected tick.

Anyone is susceptible to developing Lyme disease. Be conscious of your surroundings when

in an outdoor setting. Young children and adults who spend a lot of time outside are at higher

risk of getting Lyme disease. A deer tick must latch itself onto exposed flesh for 36 hours for the

bacteria to be transmitted. If a red bump with a bullseye appears immediately remove/save the

tick and go see a doctor. It is extremely vital to go see a doctor, if untreated Lyme disease can

cause irreparable damage. About 270,000 of the 300,00 people a year are cured of Lyme disease.

There are a few simple steps for prevention; be sure to wear the proper clothing, use insect

repellent, and stay away from densely wooded or grassy areas. After these activities, be sure to

check yourself for ticks. It is best to do so in the shower that way any unlatched ticks could be

easily washed off with a loofah or washcloth. Following these few steps will give your

conscience peace of mind.

THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF LYME DISEASE

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