...Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is characterized by neurologic, joint, and cardiac manifestations. Lyme disease is carried by ticks. The manifestation begins with a small bite from the tick and then a rash formed. When the development of a rash is noticed, it is often a serious issue that requires a doctor’s care, and can be fatal. The symptoms for Lyme make it difficult to diagnosis because they can be misconstrued by a large number of other diseases that range from arthritis to multiple sclerosis to Alzheimer’s disease. The origin of Lyme can be traced back to Lyme, Connecticut and the disease was first recognized in the 1960’s. Polly Murray moved to Lyme, Connecticut in 1959 with her four children. Within a few years of living in Lyme she began having periodic flu-like illnesses, headaches, and odd rashes. When she first went to the doctor they thought she had rheumatic fever and the doctors gave her penicillin. This helped for a little while but the symptoms returned in the spring and summer. In the early 1970’s Murray asked her doctor if this illness could be a delayed reaction to a tick bite, because she knew she had been bitten by ticks over the years. The doctor said no because she had no symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and in those days that was the only disease people thought was caused by ticks. Soon kids all over her neighborhood were coming down with the same symptoms...
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...Lyme’s Disease When a family plans their summer vacation camping in the park or near prime fishing and hunting areas, it is not in the front of their minds to be very watchful for nymph (juvenile) ticks, as there is a possibility they may contract Lyme’s Disease. What is Lyme’s Disease you may ask? Well I asked the very same thing in July of 2014 when I was diagnosed with just that. Since than I have read many articles, scientific research findings, ranging from the CDC websites, Mayo Clinics website, and even American Lyme’s Disease Association, trying to fully understand just what this disease is. I would like to take a little time to share with you my findings, from its definition, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, and treatments to its possible long-term effects on an individual. First its important to know that Lyme’s Disease is transmitted from the deer tick to humans, the tick is the carrier of the bacteria Borrella burgdorferi, which is a bacterium called a spirochete, and the cause of what we now call Lyme’s Disease. It was not truly identified and named until 1975, when an unusual number of children in Lyme Connecticut were diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. However manifestations of Lyme’s disease have been reported in Europe as early as 1883. Untreated the Lyme bacteria travels through the blood stream to various body tissues, causing a number of symptoms, some which are severe. LD manifests itself as a multisystem inflammatory disease that affects the skin early...
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...Personal Impact Paper: Lyme Disease Eric Bickhart University of Phoenix student NUR/427 August 4, 2014 Amy Highland Personal Impact Paper: Lyme Disease “Since its identification nearly 30 years ago, Lyme disease has continued to spread, and there have been increasing numbers of cases in the northeastern and north central US. The Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, causes infection by migration through tissues, adhesion to host cells and evasion of immune clearance” (Steere, 2004). This disease is transmitted to humans from the bite of the Blacklegged (deer) tick. It usually produces a bulls-eye rash, but not in all cases. According to National Library of Medicine (2013), "Stage 3 or late disseminated Lyme disease can cause long-term joint inflammation (Lyme arthritis and heart problems. Brain and nervous system problems are also possible" (Outlook (Prognosis)). Lyme disease has afflicted a high school basketball coach and gym teacher of a small school in Liberty, Pa at age 36. He is the father of two children and a member of a local sportsman's club. He has been dealing with the ongoing symptoms related to chronic Lyme disease for about seven years. It has been a life altering disease for a previously active young man. He reports symptoms as severe pain and swelling in all of his joints that inhibit full rotation similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Also, he has persistent severe back pain which keeps him on the sidelines during most of his career and...
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...TREATMENT OF LYME DISEASE (Kwadwo) Early infection, either local or disseminated, should be treated with doxycycline or amoxicillin—or an alternative—for 14–21 days. Treatment relieves early symptoms and promotes resolution of skin lesions. Doxycycline may be more effective than amoxicillin in preventing late manifestations. Established arthritis may respond to prolonged therapy with doxycycline or amoxicillin orally or penicillin G or ceftriaxone intravenously. In refractory cases, ceftriaxone has been effective. Nearly 50% of patients treated with doxycycline or amoxicillin early in the course of Lyme disease develop minor late complications (headache, joint pains, etc). Patients with certain neurological or cardiac forms of illness may require intravenous treatment with drugs such as ceftriaxone or penicillin. Approximately 10 to 20% of patients treated for Lyme disease with a recommended 2–4 week course of antibiotics will have lingering symptoms of fatigue, pain, or joint and muscle aches. In some cases, these can last for more than 6 months. Although often called "chronic Lyme disease," this condition is properly known as "Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome" (PTLDS). Prevention Prevention is based on avoidance of exposure to ticks. Long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks are recommended. Careful examination of the skin for ticks after being outdoors can locate ticks for removal before they transmit B burgdorferi. http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/Treatment/ ...
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...Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria known as borrelia burgdorferi and is one of the most common vector-born diseases. It is commonly transmitted through bites from infected black legged ticks. Some of the more common symptoms are fever, headache, fatigue and a rash that almost everyone who gets Lyme disease has called erythema migrans. Lyme disease is diagnosed through looking at the symptoms as well as possible exposure to infected ticks and if it goes untreated it can often spread to the heart and the nervous system as well as through your joints. It contains three stages, the first being a rash at the site of the bite, the second being cardiac and neurologic involvement, and the third being arthritis in large and important joints such as...
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...Lyme disease, like some ailments, affect humans and animals, this means humans and animals can be influenced by it. Any animal that can be bitten by a tick can receive Lyme disease, this includes horses, cats, dogs, and more. Similar to a large percentage of diseases Lyme disease is affected by the biodiversity of the area and the biosphere. But how does the amount of biodiversity affect the rate of Lyme disease? Biodiversity improves the overall health of an ecosystem. Lyme disease is an illness caused by the spiral shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi and it is transmitted to humans by the bite of a tick. Usually a blacklegged tick or a deer tick, blacklegged on the west coast and Deer ticks on the east coast. Lyme disease can infect all organs in your body and the symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to the symptoms of other common illnesses. Because of this it is difficult to correctly identify Lyme disease therefore the estimates of people with Lyme disease are not entirely correct. However, thanks to the research of scientists we are becoming excellent at identifying it. Let me bring you back to 1975, when the first case of Lyme disease was discovered. Back then, there were more forests and biodiversity was higher,...
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...of August at summer camp in the mountains of Pennsylvania. She’s been wearing mostly shorts and bathing suits for the past two months, none of them new. She doesn’t remember any bites on her thigh. 1. On the basis of the oral history, what is the most likely diagnosis? What would the causative agent look like with gram stain? Lyme Disease is the most likely diagnosis (3). Borrelia burgdorferi will show up pink with gram stain because it is gram – (1). 2. How did she most likely acquire her infection? She most likely acquired the infection from an Ixodes tick bit (deer tick) at summer camp (1). 3. Would the diagnosis be any different if she had attended camp in Arizona? Explain. She may have still gotten a tick bite, but not by the same type of tick (4). In Pennsylvania, it was more than likely by a deer tick, resulting in Lyme Disease (1). In Arizona, she could have made contact with a dog tick, resulting in Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (2). 4. Why does the doctor ask if her joints hurt? Lyme Disease causes inflammation of joints, which is a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, which could develop from the disease if not treated properly in enough time (3). 5. How is this infection treated? Most cases can be treated with antibiotics,...
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...Introduction Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that is caused by the bite of a tick, these ticks carry the spiral shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. A human will contract this disease if they are bitten by an eight-legged tick that is in the middle stage of its life, called nymphs. If the tick is attached to the body for 36 hours than it can transfer the Borrelia burgdorferi to the person which it is attached to. Which is why it is important to check for ticks if you have been in an wooded area. Lyme disease has varying symptoms and “It can affect any organ of the body, including the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, and the heart” (Lyme Disease.org). Lyme disease has three different stages of the disease that each have their own symptoms involved with the stage. It can be hard to diagnosis this disease based off the fact that is has many symptoms like other many diseases or other health problems so patients are frequently misdiagnosed. Lyme disease may not get diagnosed on time before it becomes chronic Lyme disease which is much harder and can take much longer to treat. Without diagnosis and proper treatment, the bacteria will continue to move throughout the body and will start to affect many other organs causing way worse effects than if they...
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...Lyme’s Disease Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The organism is a rod-like spirochete. Spirochetes are a group of bacteria unique in the way they move about the organism. This group of bacteria moves in a spiral motion. There are three stages in the clinical signs for Lyme’s Disease. Primary signs will begin after the first or second day of feeding on the animal and tend to develop in 90% of cases. Erythema will develop which is often accompanied by a mild to moderate fever. Generalized lymphadenopathy develops as well which in some cases may lead to the animal displaying signs of lameness. Secondary signs will develop in about 10% of cases. These signs include glomerulonephritis which results in a protein losing nephropathy and is usually fatal. The extremely rare third stage of Lyme disease include attacks...
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...radio/TV/printed material advertising explaining what Lyme disease is and some of its effects to humans. Advertising would be aimed in educating all of the public but in heavily populated deer areas would be more prevalent. Campaigns would begin in very early spring before the onset of the active season which is late spring to early summer. Once late spring is present and cases are reported, advertising would be in full force. This is when it would be beneficial to begin to start looking at preventional methods. Launch campaigns to eliminate tall grass from playgrounds, schools, and ball fields. Policing the grounds, were they thrive. Apply over the counter sprays to clothing from the “deet” nature. Try to eliminate possible contact by wearing long pants and shirts if going into those areas. If a deer tick is noticed, removal procedures and guidelines of removal and symptoms would go in effect. If symptoms occur, there would be a protocol for individuals to follow from their advertisement brochure or website. A check list from when the individual came in contact with the tick, to when removal was. If any redness occurred in the area followed by a rash around the bite area. This check list would be presented to the physician to help with the diagnosis of the bite and if Lyme disease would be present. Antibiotics could be administered to reduce the risk of other side effects. Educating the public of the potential risks of “Lyme Disease” and offering preventive measures they...
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...azzmin Wright Summer 2017 Bio275 Paper #1 (Scientific Literacy Assignment #10) Lyme Disease Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted from animals to humans. (1). The means of transmission are arthropod vectors, specifically ticks. Those who have been exposed to Lyme disease experience symptoms such as fever, heachache , lack of energy and skin rashes. (2) The disease is characterized by a ‘bullseye’ rash called erythema migrans. Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete that is approximately 20-30mm in length and .2-.3mm in width . This means that the motility is via an axial filament (endoflagella),...
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...demographics changes, there will constantly be new illnesses and diseases to track, and ultimately control. Nonetheless, has someone ever considered that one of the most severe illnesses can be easily caught when someone is simply doing an average outdoor activity? Lyme disease is on the rise in Canada, and lack of awareness, treatment and control is prominent. Measures to reduce, and prevent the spreading of the disease is acknowledged and the Canadian government is working together with physicians and patients to determine the most productive methods. Lyme Disease is a vector-borne inflammatory infection caused...
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...Vinson Lyme Disease: Historic time line: 1909- Swedish physician Arvid Afxelus observes a bull's eye rash around a patient's tick bite. 1930-1940- Swedish dermatologist Sven Hellerstrom links erythema migrans to meningitis in multiple patients. 1970- First U.S. Case of erythema migrans reported in Milwaukee, Wis. 1975- Reseachers link juvenile arthritis cases in Lyme, Conn. To tick bites. 1977- Yale rheumatologist Allen Steere provides the first definitive account of the disease 1980- The CDC begins to monitor the spread of Lyme Disease 1982- Zoologist and microbiologist Willy Burgdorfer of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Rock Mountain Lab, Mont., isolates the bacterium that causes Lyme Disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. The CDC reports 492 cases of Lyme Disease. 1984- Westchester County, NY declares a Lyme epidemic 1988- CDC reports 4,572 Lyme cases 1991- CDC requires state and local health departments nation wide to collect and verify data on Lyme infections 1994- CDC adopts two-step test standard to diagnose Lyme Disease. 1998- CDC records 16,802 cases of Lyme. Drugmaker SmithKline Beecham begins marketing Lymerix vaccine. 2002- The maker of Lymerix withdrawals the vaccine from the market after controversy over alleged side effects undercuts demand. 2006- Infectious Diseases Society of America publishes Lyme guidelines that find no convincing scientific evidence for the existence of chronic Lyme Disease. Connecticut...
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...issue with the increase of deer. Deer overpopulation is causing many concerns, including human health and safety concerns, ecological impacts, and economic losses. The human health and safety issues associated with deer are primarily deer-vehicle collisions and transmission of Lyme disease. “It is estimated that 29,000 people are injured and 211 lose their lives annually in deer-vehicle collisions in the United States.” (Curtis) This number continues to rise as the overpopulation of deer continues to increase. Deer are coming out of the woods for food and water which causes an increase in the number of deer in human populated areas and highways. Deer-vehicle collisions is also one of the many economic losses that is associated with the overpopulation of deer. The expense of vehicle repairs and, sometimes, medical bills, due to vehicle-deer collisions is very high. There is also the human health and safety issue associated with the deer and the concern of the transmission of Lyme disease, as well as other more serious diseases by the “Black Legged” or “deer tick”. Lyme disease can cause arthritis or joint pain in humans and permanent damage if left untreated or a long period of time. Lyme disease “can also cause heart, brain and nerve problems” in humans if not treated....
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...Personal Impact Paper The personal impact that chronic disease has on patients, is extremely devastating. "Mention of chronic Lyme disease raises temperatures, not only among patients, but also among the experts who are trying to untangle exactly what chronic Lyme disease is" (Rowe, 2000 pg1). With a chronic disease, such as Lyme disease LD patients are faced with many challenges. Some that will be outlined in this paper. Which are social, financial and personal effects that this disease can have on a person. As well as what a patient has to go through when learning about their disease and living through the experience. Lastly, this paper will touch on the motivators that can be used when maintaining a positive outlook on the patient's life. When discussing what is Lyme disease many thoughts come to head because Lyme's disease is a complex yet very silent disease. This disease is known as "The great Imitator" (Lymedisease.org 2013) this is because the symptoms that arise are like other well known diseases. Some examples of these diseases are; Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Depression and Rheumatoid Arthritis (Lymedisease.org 2013). By the time that Lyme's disease is diagnosis the symptoms and the disease process have become chronic. When someone gets infected this disease with the Lyme spirochetes, which is a poppy like size tick (Lymedisease.org 2013). The most common forms of testing are the Elisa and the Western Blot. These test are...
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