Lyme disease is perhaps one of the least understood diseases in the United States today. There are countless stories of how people with Lyme disease seek medical attention and are wrongly diagnosed with fatigue, depression, and a plethora of other illnesses. The cold hard truth is that there is simply so much we do not understand about the disease, its consequences, and treatment. One thing is clear, the sooner you detect Lyme-disease-like symptoms the sooner you can take steps to seek treatment and prevent a disaster down the road.
Signs that you are at risk of Lyme disease
For starters, it is important to understand how Lyme disease is acquired. You can be infected through a bacteria called borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by a tick. It usually takes around 36-48 hours before the bacterium can infect the host. If you find a tick attached to any part of your body, it is incredibly important to remove it as soon as possible. If you remove it before 36 hours the chances of you being infected with Lyme disease decrease significantly.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Unfortunately, Lyme disease is one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose. Ticks often attach themselves to armpits, the groin area, behind the ears, and other areas that are hard to see at first glance. The ticks also release a substance that anesthetizes the skin which makes it difficult for the host to even feel the bite.
There are various diseases and common illnesses that mimic the symptoms of Lyme disease. However, if you find that you have some or all of the following symptoms it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. The following is a list of the most common symptoms a person may experience when exposed to Lyme disease:
-A red rash shaped like a bulls-eye which appears 3 to 30 days after being bitten
–Fever, chills, headache, fatigue
-Joint pain
The largest number of Lyme disease cases appear in the northeastern and midwestern regions of the United States. If you live near these areas or have visited them recently and feel you may have symptoms seek professional help. Make sure you check for rashes or tick bites to make the diagnosis more expedient. Lyme disease is a treatable disease and early detection goes a long way to an effective treatment.
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