Lyme Disease
by Diana Arundell
Lyme disease is an infectious bacterial disease also known as Lyme borreliosis. It is part of the spirochete family of bacteria and it can be transmitted via ticks.
The most common ticks found in Australia are the bush tick, brown dog tick and the paralysis tick with latter being responsible for most tick bites but not all ticks transmit Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is yet to be officially recognised in Australia however as suspected cases are on the rise, there are more physicians beginning to recognise and acknowledge the disease with a few even beginning to specialise in the treatment of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is also believed to be very under-reported as it can be easily mistaken for other illnesses such as flu, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and depression just to name a few.
The Australian government is continuing to investigate the increasing incidence of tick borne diseases and associated research.
There are three stages of infection – the acute stage, the early disseminated stage and the chronic stage. The sooner the infection is treated, the better the success rate of resolution. If you experience a tick bite and have a rash or feel in any way unwell, go to a doctor familiar with Lyme disease as soon as possible as early treatment with antibiotics is crucial. Some statistics note that fewer than 50 % of people with Lyme disease even recall a tick bite which makes it even more difficult to diagnose. The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease vary between individuals due to variation in genospecies of borrelia and also possibly to the genetic predisposition, auto immune tendency and detoxification capabilities of the individual contracting the disease. Some individuals may have 1 or 2 symptoms while others may be debilitated with a number of symptoms affecting different body systems. A rash may appear within days, weeks or months and can come and go and for some, may be the only sign of infection. For others not so lucky, the infection can affect their neurological system producing muscle twitches, headaches, dizziness, tingling and numbness. For others it affects their joints causing pain and swelling, for others their gastrointestinal tract is affected resulting in nausea, vomiting and bowel changes or the respiratory system can be affected causing shortness of breath. Reported psychological effects of infection with Lyme disease include disorientation and confusion.
At The Beach Early Learning Centres our team of highly qualified and skilled educators value working with each child, their family and the community to create a learning environment that promotes happiness, health and optimal development.
• Individually tailored educational programs including school readiness
• Use of electronic media for parent communication
• New outdoor environments
• Catering for 0 – 6 years, open hours 7am – 6pm
• Xplor App technology
20 KIDZ ON THE COAST