Lyme disease is an infection that is spread by ticks. The disease is caused by the borrelia burgdorferi bacteria found in animals like deer, mice, and birds. When humans come into contact with these animals, we can also come into contact with ticks. The tick needs to be on the human for at least 36 hours for the bacteria to enter and cause the disease.
The various symptoms, causes, and prevention methods of Lyme disease include the following:
1. Symptoms
The symptoms of Lyme disease may vary from one person to another. In general, the symptoms would include:
- A rash on the body that would like a bull’s eye symbol.
- Fatigue and tiredness.
- Pain in the joints with swelling.
- Muscle pain.
- Fever.
- Problems sleeping.
- Inability to concentrate.
- Swelling in the lymph nodes.
- Meningitis, temporary facial paralysis, weakness in the limbs are advanced symptoms if the disease progresses without treatment.
2. Cause
The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, as well as Borrelia mayonii cause this disease. The vector that spreads the disease called is the black-legged tick or deer tick. The tick must bite a human and it has to be attached to the body for 36 to 48 hours.
3. Prevention of Lyme disease
There are various ways through which the prevention of Lyme disease is possible. Such as:
- The primary prevention method of Lyme disease is to avoid getting bitten by a tick, especially during the period from May to July, when the chances of getting bitten are more.
- Prevention of tick bites can be done by wearing long pants and full-sleeve shirts, especially in outdoor areas frequented by animals.
- The areas of the body that are exposed need to be covered with insect repellent cream.
- Ensure your yard is tick-proof. Leaves on the ground are where ticks can lay in wait. Cleaning the yard is needed. Rats can enter wood that is stacked and ticks can get on to them. To prevent this, the wood must be stacked in dry, sunny areas.
- If you come in from outside, make sure you check your clothing thoroughly for ticks. It is not so easy since the tick is very small and difficult to spot. Check the head, neck, armpits, and groin area when you come in from outside. Take a shower when you come from outside.
- If you see a tick on your body, it must be plucked out immediately. The more time the tick remains on your body, the higher is the risk of contracting Lyme disease. You must carefully remove the tick with tweezers and wash the area with soap and hot water.
The above mentioned points explain the basic aspects of Lyme disease, including the causes, symptoms, and prevention methods.