Lyme disease: Employee education and treatment

Abstract

1. Lyme disease is a complex multisystem disorder that begins with the bite from the lxodes tick. The lxodes tick carriers the spirochete, Borellia burgdorferi, and infects humans with the spirochete. 2. The initial symptoms of Lyme disease are the erythema chronicum migrans, or ''bull's eye'' rash, and flue-like symptoms. 3. Stage III of Lyme disease can occur weeks to months after the initial infection when more serious complications may develop, such as neurologic, cardiac, or ophthalmologic problems. If Lyme disease goes untreated, arthritic symptoms may occur in stage III. 4. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are of utmost importance for a full recovery. Education and prevention techniques also are needed to decrease the number of people infected by the lxodes tick.