Beware of ticks! You know Lyme disease and its risks
Although the most serious cases of Lyme disease have been reported in Northeast and Midwest of the United States, there may also be the risk in other continents
In summer many people take advantage of good weather to enjoy outdoor activities either in a field walk, days of camping or dinner on the lawn that are ideal for sharing with friends and family.
But while these plans are very good to avoid stress and take advantage of the time with loved ones, also they pose a risk of getting Lyme disease, which is a type of tick-borne infection.
Health authorities are warning some years risks representing ticks for human health and all the consequences of Lyme disease.
For this reason, it is very important to report and do everything possible to reduce the risk.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by a germ called spirochetes, residing mainly in the Ixodes scapularis (located as "Black-legged tick" or "deer tick"), which are in the Northeast and in the Center-North of the United States.
To be carriers of this bacterium, ticks pose a risk to human health and animals, since one of their bites can spread disease and derive a series of symptoms that affect quality of life.
Major cases of Lyme disease have been reported in the States of the Northeast and the Midwest of the United States. However, the risk also exists in other parts of the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.
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Symptoms
One of the first signs of Lyme disease is a skin rash that usually appear between 3 and 30 days after the tick bite.
Usually, the rash begins at the site of the tick bite, where occurs a redness that can gradually grow and spread across the skin.
Other symptoms that may occur as a result of this disease include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Joint pains and muscle
Although it occurs in very few cases, in its first stage disease can spread to the heart and the nervous system.
If something happens, the person may also experience other symptoms like slow or irregular, as well as facial paralysis of Bell, numbness in the arms and legs and swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain.
What happens when Lyme disease progresses?
When the first symptoms of Lyme disease are ignored and not given early treatment, bacterium can be extended by other parts of the body and, with the passing of the days, the symptoms will worsen.
In a more advanced stage, the person with this health problem may begin to suffer arthritis (painful and swollen joints) and problems in the nervous system. In the case of arthritis, it almost always affects the knee and rarely involves more joint damage.
It is rare that disease to move to other stages, however, when this is the case, They may also experience has the following symptoms:
- Problems concentrating.
- Changes in mood.
- Changes in sleep habits.
- Loss of memory.
- Muscle weakness.
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Who may suffer from Lyme disease?
People who spend time outdoors, especially where there is animal, have one greater risk of suffering from Lyme disease because they are in areas where it is very likely that there are ticks.
Generally, ticks prefer the top of grasslands and low shrubs, in order that persons or animals rub that part.
Often, the ticks climb through the clothes before joining skin. In addition, once they adhere, it is difficult to detect them, because they do not usually cause discomfort and almost always go unnoticed.
Not all ticks are transmitters of disease, but anyone may represent a risk to health. For this reason it is very important to combat them and try to keep them the farthest possible both home and areas attending to enjoy outdoor activities.
What is the treatment for Lyme disease?
When diagnosing Lyme disease, proceed to initiate treatment with antibiotics that lasts from 14 to 30 days.
When it has not yet advanced to a second stage, the germ is fought very well with treatment and it is quite possible that the symptoms disappear in a short time.
If this health problem progresses to other stages, antibiotic treatment will continue, but now it is very likely that they are applied intravenously.
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