A bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected tick.
The tick becomes infected when it bites an infected rat or deer. When the tick bites a person, the bacteria spreads through the body and causes illness.
It initially causes fever, chills, joint pain, headache, muscle aches, stiff neck, and malaise. Later, a characteristic target-shaped rash appears on the skin, with a red area in the center surrounded by a clear halo and a red area on the periphery. After a few days, it is accompanied by pain in the area of the bite, palpitations, facial paralysis, joint swelling, and even speech or thinking problems.
A complete medical history, physical examination, and blood tests are necessary for diagnosis. If the infection has spread, it may be necessary to complete the study with electrocardiogram and cardiac ultrasound to know the involvement of the heart, and a brain MRI or puncture with spinal fluid collection for the nervous system.
Treatment is based on the administration of antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to improve stiffness, muscle and joint pain.
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- M. E. García, C. Skinner, J. C. Salas, J. Ocampo. Enfermedad de Lyme: actualizaciones. Gac Med Méx. 2014;150(1):84-95.
- MedlinePlus. Rockville. 2017. Enfermedad de Lyme; [citado el 25 de julio de 2017]. Disponible en: https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001319.htm
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