Q
: What is Lyme disease and how is it caught ?
A
: Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia , a spirochete or spiral-shaped bacteria . It ’ s the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the northern hemisphere , with multiple strains . Lyme disease is endemic in many parts of the US , UK , and Europe , particularly in woodland or heathland areas , but disease-carrying ticks can also be found in cities and gardens . Although also found in northern and eastern parts of Asia , it is much less prevalent in Southeast Asia , with little evidence of occurrence in Australia .
Transmission of Lyme disease can occur after being bitten by an infected tick . Other modes of transmission include congenital transmission from mother to baby . Although Borrelia has been found in biting insects such as mosquitoes and spiders , there is not yet enough research to prove that they can also transmit the disease .
Transmission via blood , tissue , and organ donation , along with sexual activity , are all causes for concern , but again there is not enough research being done in this area . The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention states that , “ Although no cases of Lyme disease have been linked to blood transfusion , scientists have found that the Lyme disease bacteria can live in blood that is stored for donation .”
Until more is known , it would be wise for current and historical Lyme patients to avoid donating their blood or tissue .
Q
: What are the symptoms ?
A
: Symptoms can start with an erythema migrans rash , which is often described as a bulls-eye rash because of its circular shape , but it can also be more irregular . This sometimes leads to a misdiagnosis of ringworm , a fungal infection , or cellulitis , a condition caused when bacteria enter a crack in the skin . But it ’ s important to note that not every Lyme disease patient will experience or remember a rash , as it appears in just two out of three patients . And the rash may not appear straight away .
Further symptoms can include malaise , unexplained flu-like symptoms , soreness and aches , light and noise sensitivity , cognitive problems , fatigue , stiff neck , facial palsy , numbness , and tingling . If left untreated , the infection can spread anywhere in the body , leading to around 70 recognised symptoms . For example , people can develop issues with their endocrine and neurological systems and experience musculoskeletal , cardiac , dermatological , and neuropsychiatric problems .
Q
: How is it treated ?
A
: At present , there is no test that can rule out Lyme disease , as false negative results are possible with current testing . There is also no test to show if a patient has been cured . Lyme disease can be easy to treat if caught early , but complications can occur if the infection is left untreated . Chronic Lyme disease is not a medically accepted term in some countries , but practitioners who treat the disease use it to describe long-term symptoms and complications associated with the disease .
Research shows that the Borrelia bacteria can persist , even after treatment . Some experts believe that the presence of other infections could be a possible reason for the wide variation in Lyme disease patterns , progression , and treatment outcomes .
Lyme disease can be a complex condition , and many aspects of the illness are contested and debated . There is variability in knowledge among clinicians , with some having little or no understanding of the disease .
Responses supplied by Lyme Disease UK , a charity that supports people living with the effects of Lyme disease .
8 OCTOBER 2021 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com