Lyme Disease

By: Zack Rocco

 What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection caused by ticks
+ It is estimated that about 300,000 people are
diagnosed with lyme each year
It can affect people of all ages, common in children,
older adults, and firefighters and park rangers
(because of all their outdoor activities)
Found on any continent except for Antartica
 How does someone
get Lyme Disease?

Transmitted by Ixodes ticks, also known as

deer ticks, and on the West Coast, black-
legged ticks.
These tiny insects are typically found in
wooded and grassy areas.
+ Ticks are about the size of a sesame seed.
Because they are so tiny and their bite is
painless, many people do not even realize
they have been bitten.
 HOW IS IT It is possible if a pregnant woman is
affected that they can sometimes pass it
SPREAD, CAN IT to their child. (Not common)
BE SPREAD BY Some doctors believe other types of

GENES? human to human transmission are

possible but no one is certain. (Most likely
you just get it from ticks)
 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF
LYME DISEASE?
Fatigue Neuropathy
Headaches Depression
Heart Related Issues
Rash
+ The symptoms of Lyme
Fever
disease significantly overlap
Sweats those of chronic fatigue,
fibromyalgia, rheumatoid
Chills arthritis, multiple sclerosis,
Muscle Pain Parkinsons disease, ALS,
depression and Alzheimers
Joint Pain disease. Many Lyme patients
Neck Pain report being misdiagnosed with
a different condition before
Sleep issues being properly diagnosed with
Lyme disease.
 IS THERE A TREATMENT OR CURE?

Most people with Lyme disease recover with

appropriate antibiotic treatment.

For those who develop syndromes after

their infection is treated, pain medications
may provide symptomatic relief.

Typically prescribed more than one

antibiotic
 Special doctors
Infectious disease doctor
Treats infections, including those that
are tropical in nature.
Rheumatologist
Specializes in arthritis and other
rheumatic diseases.
Neurologist
Treats nervous system disorders.
Pediatrician
Provides medical care for infants,
children, and teenagers.
Primary care provider (PCP)
Prevents, diagnoses, and treats
diseases.
medications
Doxycycline
It can treat and prevent infections. It can also treat
rosacea and severe acne, and prevent malaria.
Ceftriaxone
It can treat infections.
Cefuroxime
It can treat bacterial infections.
Penicillin antibiotic
Stops growth of or kills specific bacteria.
Amoxicillin
It can treat infections and stomach ulcers.
Nonsteroidal anti-Inflammatory drug
Relieves pain, decreases inflammation, and
reduces fever.
Can it be fatal?
If not treated, Lyme disease can sometimes be fatal
Death records collected by researchers at the
Centers for Disease Control in the U.S. found that
during a four year period from 1999 to 2003, 114
records listed Lyme disease as a cause of death.
Left untreated, Lyme disease eventually spreads to
the brain, heart, and joints where it can do a lot of
damage.If it's not promptly and aggressively
treated, it may become chronic or may cause death
later on.
Facts about the disease

It is called the great imitator because of all the other diseases it

it like.
Not all ticks carry the lyme disease.
It takes about 36 to 48 hours for an infected tick to transmit it to
you.
There used to be a Lyme Disease Vaccine but the discontinued it
in 2002.
Average Patient takes 2 to 3 years to get diagnosed correctly
 Cites

"Lyme Disease Symptoms and Treatment." WebMD. WebMD, n.d.

Web. 09 Apr. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-
arthritis/arthritis-lyme-disease>.
Lda. "Lyme Disease Symptoms and Signs." Lyme Disease
Association | Lyme Treatment Guidelines | Dr. Referrals | Funding &
Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.
<https://lymediseaseassociation.org/about-lyme/medical-
lyme/symptom-list?gclid=CJWBw6OtmNMCFY-IswodaYoH5A>.
"Lyme disease." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.
<http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-
disease/basics/definition/con-20019701>.
"ALDF." ALDF. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. <http://www.aldf.com/>.
"An overview of Lyme disease symptoms." LymeDisease.org. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. <https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-
basics/lyme-disease/symptoms/>.