Lyme Disease
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks.
Studies have shown that 5-20% of patients will experience chronic symptoms.
What causes Lyme Disease?
A tick will bite an animal carrying the bacteria and will become infected. The tick can transfer the bacteria to a human by biting and passing bacteria into the bloodstream.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptom is circular or oval dermatitis (Rash), it is often described as looking like a bullseye. It can take up to 3 months to appear, however most cases it usually appears in 1 to 4 weeks.
After being infected with the bacteria, lots of patients experience flu-like symptoms :
Pyrexia, high temperature
Headaches
Muscle and joint pain
Fatigue
5-20% become chronic pain symptoms such as :
Arthritis, pain, and swelling in joints
Nerve concerns, pain, and numbness
cardiac symptoms, myopericarditis
Cognitive concerns, trouble with memory and concentration
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Imaging In Diagnosis
For chronic symptoms, an MRI scan will be done.
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A patient's Experience
If you would like to share your story about Lyme Disease. Please contact us.