Tick-borne borreliosis is an infectious disease that is transmitted by the bite of an ixodid tick. The disease affects the joints, heart, skin and nervous system. Early detection and the correct course of antibiotic therapy often leads to recovery. Late diagnosis of the disease or improperly prescribed treatment contributes to the development of a chronic form that is difficult to treat. The disease is caused by a microorganism called Borrelia, and ticks carry it. In 1975, this disease received a second name - Lyme disease, when cases of infection were recorded in the small town of Lyme (USA). This article will describe the main symptoms and consequences of borreliosis.
Causes of the disease
- The main reason is a tick bite, which is a carrier of borrelia (small microorganisms in the form of a convoluted spiral). Horses, cows, goats, deer, rodents serve as their natural reservoir. Tick mites, feeding on the blood of animals, become infected and become carriers of the disease. Moreover, they pass on Borrelia from generation to generation.
- Insect feces - the contents of the intestines and feces of the infected tick, which also contain borrelia, when crushed, they get on the skin, and when combed, they penetrate inside.
- Incorrect tick removal. When an insect is damaged, microorganisms easily end up in the wound.
- The use of thermally raw milk from an animal carrier of microorganisms.
- Infection can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy. In other cases, a person with borreliosis is not dangerous to others.
The most favorable periods for Lyme disease are spring, early summer, and autumn. People have a high susceptibility to this disease.
Forms of the disease
With the course, like many diseases, borreliosis can take two forms:
Acute, which begins immediately after a tick bite (lasts three months) and passes in the form of:
- erythema (pathological redness of the skin), which increases with time in diameter;
- without redness at the site of the bite; in this case, the symptoms of borreliosis and the consequences occur immediately: the joints, heart and nervous system are affected.
Chronic, which, in turn, is divided into:
- continuous - the symptoms of the disease are constantly observed;
- recurrent - an episodic manifestation of the signs of the disease associated with damage to the heart, skin, nervous system and joints.
The severity of the course of borreliosis is divided into three degrees:
Sometimes the disease proceeds in a latent form, when a person has no manifestations of the disease, and the pathogen is detected only in laboratory tests.
Lyme Disease Stages
According to characteristic features, the course of the disease is divided into several stages:
- latent or incubation period - from the beginning of a tick bite to the onset of the first symptoms of borreliosis in humans, it takes from three days to a month;
- the first is the development of infection at the site of the bite;
- the second is the spread of borrelia from the primary lesion along the lymphatic and circulatory tracts, serous membranes, and throughout the body;
- the third is chronic; the infection enters a particular organ or system of the body.
The separation of the disease at the stage of conditional. There is no clear boundary between them. The first two are called the early period, and the latter is a neglected form of Lyme disease. Each stage of the disease has its own symptoms.
Symptoms in the first stage of the disease
The duration of this stage is approximately a week. At this time, the person's symptoms of borreliosis (photo below) are very similar to signs of severe intoxication with acute respiratory viral infections.
The patient has:
- At the site of the bite, a uniform pink spot with a dark dot in the center, a slight swelling appears. The spot gradually increases, its edges are clearly distinguished by a bright, red color, forming a swelling. Redness, increasing in size up to 6 cm in diameter, forms an annular shape. Sometimes (very rarely) symptoms of tick-borne borreliosis on the dermis may be absent.
- Soreness, itching, sensitivity is disturbed, the skin contracts. The reddened area becomes hot.
- Signs of intoxication are characterized by headache, weakness, chills, fever up to 40 degrees.
- Periodic muscle pain, aching joints.
- Dry cough, tickle and sore throat are tormented.
- Inflammation of lymph nodes near the bite.
- Nausea appears, vomiting is possible.
The first symptoms of borreliosis (photo above) after a few days subside and completely disappear even without any treatment, and when taking antibiotics a complete recovery is possible.
Signs of the disease in the second stage of borreliosis
During this period, changes occur in the joints, skin, nervous system and heart.
With damage to the nervous system, the occurrence of:
- Serous meningitis - headaches occur, photophobia appears, a strong sensitivity to various irritants, muscle tension in the back of the head, and fatigue.
Symptoms of borreliosis in humans are manifested in the form of insomnia, emotional disorders, impaired memory and attention. When analyzed in the cerebrospinal fluid, an increased content of protein and lymphocytes is detected.
- Lesions of the cranial nerves - most often the facial nerve suffers. There is paralysis of the facial muscles. As a result, a distortion of the face appears, the eye may not close and the muscles of the mouth may not work. As a result, there is a violation of speech and swallowing. Paralysis occurs immediately on both sides of the face or alternately. Timely treatment started gives good results and health is restored.
- Radicular damage to the spinal nerves - symptoms of tick-borne borreliosis are manifested by shooting pains. In the body - encircling, in the limbs - directed from top to bottom. In addition, muscle sensitivity is impaired. Shakiness and instability appear, involuntary movements, trembling in the extremities occur.
When an infection gets into the joints, arthritis occurs that seizes one or more compounds at once. Often this happens with the ankles, elbows, knees and the hip.
The defeat of the heart by Borrelia leads to the appearance of myocarditis and pericarditis. The patient develops a heartbeat, chest pain, heart failure, shortness of breath.
Of the skin symptoms of borreliosis, a small rash, erythema in the form of rings that appear in the groin, nipple, or on the earlobe, face and forehead, should be noted. They are hemispherical tumor elements the size of a pea, sometimes more, of a brownish-brown color.
In the second stage of the disease, other organs can be affected: kidneys, liver, bronchi. Symptoms occur within a few weeks, possibly a recurrence of the disease.
Symptoms of Stage Three Lyme Disease
In the absence of treatment or improper therapy, the disease enters a chronic stage, which occurs after 6 to 12 months. By this time, a system or organ is affected:
- Central nervous system - characterized by increased fatigue, irritability or depression.
- Skin - dermatitis, pathology of connective tissue with subsequent atrophy, various seals appear, fingertips of the hands and feet are affected.
- Musculoskeletal system - symptoms of borreliosis are manifested by a change in muscle tone, gait, and inflammation of the joints.
The disease has a long course with alternating exacerbations and remissions.
Diagnosis of the disease
For the diagnosis, the following measures are used:
- all the facts associated with a tick bite are revealed;
- patient complaints are analyzed;
- an insect bite site is examined to determine the treatment of symptoms of borreliosis (photo below);
- a general urine and blood test is prescribed;
- material is taken for sowing from the lesion site;
- enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which reveals substances of protein nature: enzymes, viruses, fragments of bacteria;
- analysis for antibodies;
- spinal puncture;
- Ultrasound of the joints;
- ECG of the heart;
- MRI of the brain.
With a tick bite, you should contact the clinic as soon as possible for its removal and laboratory testing for tick-borne borreliosis.
Borreliosis in humans: symptoms and treatment
The course of treatment of the disease is carried out depending on the symptoms and stage of the disease. At the first - the following therapy is prescribed:
- Antibiotic treatment - use: "Doxycycline", "Tetracycline", "Cefuroxime" and "Flemoxin". During treatment, the medication schedule prescribed by the doctor for two weeks should be strictly observed.
- The treatment of individual symptoms of the disease of affected organs.
In the second stage of the disease, antibacterial agents are administered intramuscularly or intravenously. To do this, use "Penicillin" and "Ceftriaxone." If they enter the bloodstream, they immediately kill borrelia. The treatment lasts three weeks. Most patients recover after treatment.
At the third stage, antibiotics are continued to be administered intravenously, eliminating the symptoms and consequences of borreliosis (photo below).
With the ineffectiveness of antibiotic therapy, when there is no improvement in the patient's condition, he is replaced by another. For symptomatic treatment, lowering drugs, antihistamines, and heart medications are used. In addition, vitamin complexes are required to strengthen the immune system.
Physiotherapeutic procedures for Lyme disease
In the chronic course of the disease, when joints are affected, neuritis, arthritis and other joint pathologies are manifested, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed to relieve symptoms and treat borreliosis. Their reflex effect through the skin receptors is transmitted to internal organs and systems, improving muscle and vascular tone, metabolism and respiration. As a result, inflammation of the joints decreases and blood circulation is restored. Most often, the following procedures are prescribed:
- physiotherapy exercises - the method is based on the use of physical exercises;
- UHF - heat treatment using an ultra-high frequency electromagnetic field;
- ultraviolet radiation - has a strong chemical and biological effect;
- electrophoresis - the introduction of drugs through the skin and mucous membranes using direct electric current;
- magnetotherapy - the method is based on the effect of a low-frequency constant or variable magnetic field on the human body;
- Massage - rubbing parts of the body for therapeutic purposes.
With the timely treatment of the symptoms and consequences of borreliosis in humans (photo above), the prognosis may be positive. In other cases, a chronic form of the disease and serious diseases of the joints, nervous system and brain develop. In any case, even with a long and complicated treatment of Lyme disease, one should not despair. Modern medicine has gained considerable experience in combating this disease and can help cope with most clinical manifestations.
Folk remedies for the treatment of the disease
An integrated approach is used to cure borreliosis disease. Alternative medicine is used as an addition to the drug method of recovery and treatment of symptoms of tick-borne borreliosis. Here are some recipes for improving your condition if you have some signs of the disease:
- Strawberry leaves. To prepare the infusion, take 50 g of dry raw materials and pour two glasses of boiling water. Insist for 6 hours and drink 60 g three times a day before meals. Herbal solution helps to improve metabolism, has a choleretic effect, is a source of vitamins and minerals.
- Cucumber grass, nettle, horsetail and comfrey. All of these herbs contain silicon, which helps to eliminate microorganisms and reduce the symptoms of borreliosis. The infusion is prepared from two tablespoons of dry raw materials of any plant, pouring a liter of boiled water. After insisting, the drug is taken hot for six months, changing the grass monthly.
- Tansy, wormwood, immortelle, yarrow, elecampane. Used in the restoration of liver function and the purification of blood and lymph. To make tea, take two tablespoons of the raw materials of one of the plants and pour a liter of boiling water. After insisting, they drink half a glass three times a day.
- Initial letter medicinal. The plant has anti-inflammatory, choleretic, sedative and analgesic effects. For infusion, 100 g of dry grass is poured with a liter of boiling water. Take 100 ml daily before meals.
- Take the same amount of medicinal raw materials: calendula, blackberry, hawthorn, valerian root, field horsetail, St. John's wort, linden, black elderberry, oregano and add thyme to them. Prepare a decoction and take it several times a day for 50 ml.
Power Features
With borreliosis, severe inhibition of the body occurs. The patient always feels pain in the joints, weakness, depressed mood. To recover, he needs peace, the absence of stress and overwork, as well as high-quality nutrition, which helps to reduce the symptoms of borreliosis, the inflammatory process, supports digestion and the immune system. Patients are advised to consume:
- fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, salmon, cod;
- dairy products - yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk. They help to eliminate toxins;
- chicken meat and eggs;
- cottage cheese and products from it;
- linseed and pumpkin oil;
- pistachios and peanuts;
- spinach and cabbage; they contain antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamin C, which help protect cells from damage;
- blueberries and blueberries - have an anti-inflammatory effect;
- turmeric - has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
The daily diet must contain vegetables, fruits, herbs, sauerkraut, freshly squeezed juices from currant berries, lingonberries, cherries, cranberries.
The consequences of the disease after a tick bite
Antibiotic therapy provides good treatment for the symptoms of borreliosis. And the consequences in humans become much less. Timely contacting a medical institution reduces the risk of complications and transition to a chronic form.
After all, this disease can affect the nervous system as a result of inflammation of the spinal cord and brain, paralysis appears, coordination of movements is disturbed, memory impairment occurs. In addition, inflammatory processes of the membranes of the heart, various lesions of the joints, and disability are often reduced. All patients with Lyme disease are observed by the doctor for two years. Only after this is it diagnosed with its transition to a chronic form or full recovery occurs.
Preventive actions
There is no effective vaccine to prevent borreliosis, so it is very important to minimize the risk of tick suction. To do this, you must:
- Avoid densely growing bushes and trees in parks and forests.
- Clothing for walking through the forest should be light in color with the most closed areas of the body. Wear a shirt with long sleeves, trousers - with an elastic band at the ankles, on the head - a hat or scarf.
- Treat open areas of the body with insect repellent creams, sprays and ointments.
- Do not sit on the grass and try not to contact the foliage of the trees.
- When leaving the forest, inspect clothing and exposed areas of the body.
When a tick bite, you must visit a medical institution where a course of antibiotics will be prescribed and an insect study will be conducted.
How to remove a tick?
The surest option is when a tick is removed by a medical professional. In some cases, you have to do it yourself. Remove the insect very carefully so as not to leave part of the proboscis under the skin. This should be done as follows:
- Grab the insect very close to the oral apparatus with tweezers or make a loop from a strong thread and throw it on the insect. Hold the body strictly perpendicular to the surface of the bite and rotate it around the axis 2-3 times. It is advised to twist clockwise.
- Disinfect the bite site with iodine, alcohol or any alcohol-containing agents.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap.
- If the head or proboscis is torn off, treat the bite site with alcohol or iodine.
Put the removed tick in a closed container, putting there a small piece of moist cotton wool, deliver it to a medical institution where it will be examined.
Conclusion
With the onset of a warm spring or autumn, people massively go to nature. Many of them do not think that in addition to rest and positive emotions, you can seriously suffer from bites of ixodid ticks. - . , . , , .