Lyme: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Lyme disease is a condition caused due to an infected tick bite. The tick becomes infected when it feeds on an infected deer or rodent. Usually, a tick needs to remain attached to the skin for at least 24 to 48 hours in order to cause lyme disease. Even though the condition is mainly limited to North America and Europe, some cases are also found in India.

People living near forest areas are more likely to suffer from lyme disease, as ticks are more commonly found in these regions. The disease itself can be divided into three stages, based on the progression. The first stage is when the area of the bite along with its surrounding regions starts turning red. A bull’s eye formation can be seen at this stage. Usually, there is no pain or itchiness regarding the same. The spot vanishes after 4 weeks.

The second stage is known as the early disseminated lyme disease. This stage starts several weeks after the tick bite and by this time the bacteria starts to move through the body. The second stage causes fever, chills, sore throat, fatigue, headache and muscle ache. The third and last stage may be caused months or years after the second stage, but it is also the most severe form of Lyme’s disease.

Lyme disease diagnosis is possible only after a few days post the infection. Usually, a doctor will conduct a blood test on the suspected patient. This test will reveal the presence of any antibodies against the bacterial infection. If the antibodies are present, the patient is positive for Lyme disease.

Treatment is easier and convenient during the initial stage. If the treatment is sought during the first stage of the disease, the condition can be cured within 14 and 21 days. During this time, oral antibiotics are prescribed, which will help deal with the bacterial infection. Doxycycline is used for adults and children over the age of 8 years. Cefuroxime and amoxicillin are used for children younger than 8 years and pregnant women.

If the disease progresses into a chronic stage, 14 to 21 days of intravenous antibiotics may be required instead of the oral antibiotics in order to cure the condition. However, even when the disease is cured, joint pain may remain for a long time.

People suffering from symptoms related to lyme disease should visit the doctor and get checked out. If the diagnostic test reveals the presence of antibodies associated with Lyme, doctors will start an appropriate treatment. However, until the doctor diagnoses the condition, oral antibiotics should not be taken, as the symptoms may be caused due to some other health issue.

People whose blood does not contain the antibodies related to Lyme disease are not eligible for the treatment. Antibiotics are used to remedy the condition and is only useful against certain kinds of infection in the body.

Oral antibiotics are the primary form of treatment when it comes to Lyme disease. While there are no serious side effects of such medication, antibiotics like doxycycline may cause patient’s to lose appetite. It is also known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. In rare cases, the drug can lead to severe headache, fever, chills and reduction in the amount of urine.

After the cure, there are no guidelines to be followed by the patient. However, if joint pain exists even after the disease has been treated, patients may need to visit the physician in the future.

The course of the treatment generally lasts anywhere between 14 and 21 days. This is true for both the oral antibiotic course and intravenous antibiotic course.

The cost of treatment may range from anywhere between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 3,500 depending on the complexity and place of the treatment.

Results are permanent and once the antibiotics take effect, the bacterial infection is slowly removed from the body. However, a person who recovers from the disease may fall prey to the same condition in the future.

There are no valid alternative treatments for the condition. However, patients can take precautions against the disease. For instance, limiting contact with places where ticks grow can be an effective measure against the condition. Furthermore, eating foods that improve immunity of the body can also be a valid method of reducing the chances of contracting the disorder.