Lyme disease (LD) is an illness that comes by way of infection of certain bacteria. There are at least three species that can lead to this infection. The name of the illness comes from place in Connecticut, where in 1975 a collection of cases was noted. One of the issues that people with this illness might have is arthralgia.

Symptoms

The symptoms that are found in a case of Lyme disease may be different than those which are noticed in another. There is a characteristic symptom found early in the disease, known as erythema migrains (EM). It is the "circular rash" that affects many people with LD. It is estimated that this rash shows up in about 80 percent of people who get this infection. In most cases, EM does not lead to pain. It is red in color, and might be warm in temperature.

Aside from this, headache is one of the other symptoms that may show up early in a case of Lyme disease. The patient might develop a fever, and his muscles could be sore. When the bacteria spreads through the person's blood, other symptoms may be present. These can include dizziness, as well as heart palpitations. Once months have passed without treatment (or sufficient treatment) it is possible for people who have been infected with this bacteria to get chronic symptoms. These may show up differently in specific cases. Numbness and shooting pain may occur in the feet and hands. Serious fatigue is a possibility. Joint pain (arthralgia) may happen, and this often involves the patient's knees.

Causes

At least three bacteria from the Borrelia genus have been found to cause Lyme disease. Certain types of ticks can transmit the disease to humans through biting them.

Diagnosis

Multiple factors can be taken into consideration when a doctor is making a diagnosis of Lyme disease. For instance, if EM is found, then this is considered to be enough evidence to lead to a diagnosis of LD. Other symptoms may also be considered. It is not easy to culture the causative bacteria, so although blood tests for it may be used, they are not required. Lyme disease, in its chronic and late form, is very similar in it symptoms to many other illnesses, so differential diagnosis candidates may be taken into consideration.

Treatment

The main method of treatment used for people who have LD is antibiotics. The particular one that is preferable may be different in various cases. Talk with a doctor to get qualified advice on which treatment method to use.