Lime disease (lyme disease), or borreliosis, is a highly infectious disease which is most commonly caused by spirochete bacteria from the tick genus Borrelia. The infection is typically caused initially by the bite of an infected black-legged, or deer tick, but there are known to be other carrier ticks which have been implicated however Borrelia burgdorferi is the predominant cause of Lime disease (Lyme disease) in the US and Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are the most common sources in Europe.

Lime disease identifying signs can vary widely, and can more commonly include a rash and flu-like symptoms in its initial stages, then muscular skeletal, arthritic, neurologic, psychiatric and cardiac manifestationscan aslo be present. In the majority of cases symptoms can be eliminated with the use of specific prescribed antibiotics, especially if treatment is started very early in the course of illness.

Late, or inadequate treatment, often leads to "late stage" Lime disease (lyme disease) that can be very disabling and difficult to treat. Furthermore, this is comlicated by the fact that this is a very dificult disease to diagnose accurately in the early stages.

As we have already indicated, early diagnosis is essential

GENERAL SYMPTOMS

The acute phase of Lime disease (lyme disease) infections is a characteristic reddish "bulls-eye" type rash, usually associated with an accompanying flu type fever, and musculor skeletal painand aches. The characteristic reddish "bull's-eye" rash may be seen in up to 80% of early stage Lime disease (Lyme Disease) patients, and can appear anywhere betwen the first day or up to a month after the initial tick bite. The rash is not an allergic reaction to the bite, but is a true skin infection with the Lime (lyme) bacteria.

The incubation period from the initial infection to the onset of symptoms is usually 1 to 2 weeks, but is some cases this can be months or Years after the initial Tick Bite occured. Symptoms most often occur from May through September because the nymphal stage of the tick is responsible for most cases. This Makes it dificult in many cases to effect an early treatment regime.

Other, less common findings in acute Lime disease (lyme disease) include cardiac problems which can happen in up to 10% of patients and may also include such smptoms as palpitations. There is also a risk in some cases of neurologic symptoms with simple altered mental status as the sole presenting symptom and headaches of a migraine nature.

ACUTE SYMPTOMS

Chronic Lime disease (lyme disease) can be manifested by a wide-range of neurological disorders, either central or peripheral, including encephalitis or encephalomyelitis, muscle twitching, polyneuropathy or paresthesia, and vestibular symptoms among others. Neuropsychiatric disturbances can occur (possibly from a low-level encephalitis), which may lead to symptoms of memory loss, sleep disturbances, or changes in mood or affect.

Prognosis

Early detection and recognition of the symptoms is by far the best method of attack to cure and treat Lime disease. Therefor it is esential if you have been in contact with animals of any kind that you have reason to believe may have been infected with any kind of tick to seek medical advice and check for early signs of the rash or flu like symptoms.