Lyme Disease

Also known as:  Lyme Borreliosis

Lyme Disease is an inflammatory disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (a species of Detrimental Bacteria transmitted by a specific type of Tick (Ixodes dammini) that is carried by deer and mice).  It has also been suggested that Lyme Disease can also be transmitted by other insects, including fleas, mosquitos and mites;  and via human to human contact.

 The incidence of Lyme Disease is increasing.  The number of reported cases increased two hundred-fold between 1983 and 1991.

 Lyme Disease is most prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly USA, Europe, Russia, China and Japan.

Lyme Disease progresses through three stages.

STAGE I

The symptoms of Stage I of Lyme Disease usually manifest within two to three weeks of infection.

Immune System

 Fever is one of the symptoms of (stage I) of Lyme Disease.

 Ailments of the Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy) one of the symptoms of (stage I of) Lyme Disease.

Metabolism

 Fatigue is one of the symptoms of (stage I) of Lyme Disease.

Musculoskeletal System

 Arthralgia (Joint Pain especially in the knees) is one of the symptoms of (stage I) of Lyme Disease.

 Muscle Pain is one of the symptoms of (stage I) of Lyme Disease.

Nervous System

 Headache is one of the symptoms of (stage I) of Lyme Disease.

Skin

 A characteristic Rash of the Skin (known as Erythema Migrans or EM) often appears 3 to 30 days after the bite of an infected tick.  This Skin lesion usually occurs at the site of the bite.  The appearance of this lesion is as a red maculo-apular lesion that is more than 5 cm in diameter.  It is rarely painful and expands and may reach more than 50 cm in diameter with central clearing and a well-defined, circinate border (a “bulls-eye”).  This lesion occurs in 60% to 80% of serologically confirmed cases of Lyme Disease: