Lyme disease Flashcards
(8 cards)
What bacterium causes Lyme disease?
Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete bacterium.
How is Lyme disease transmitted?
Through tick bites, typically in grassy or wooded areas.
Not every tick bite causes Lyme disease.
What is erythema migrans?
An expanding, target-like rash appearing 1–4 weeks post-bite.
Name some non-focal symptoms of early Lyme disease.
Fever, fatigue, joint/muscle pain, headache, neck stiffness, cognitive changes.
What test should be done first if erythema migrans is not present?
ELISA test for Lyme disease.
What is the first-line treatment for erythema migrans ± non-focal symptoms OR cranial/peripheral nerve symptoms?
Oral doxycycline.
What’s the first-line treatment for CNS involvement?
IV ceftriaxone.
What is a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction?
A systemic reaction to killed bacteria causing cytokine release.
Common symptoms include: fever, chills, muscle pain, headache.
