Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease)

Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease) - an infectious transmissible prirodnoochagovyh disease caused by spirochetes, and is transmitted by ticks, has a tendency to chronic and recurrent course and a primary lesion of the skin, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and heart.
For the first time the disease study began in 1975 in the village of Lime (USA).
Cause. The disease is Lyme spirochete Borrelia genus. The pathogen is closely related to grazing (Ixodes) ticks and their natural hosts. The generality of vectors for pathogens Ixodes tick borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis virus causes the presence of ticks, and therefore patients, cases of mixed infections.
The geographical spread of Lyme disease is extensive, it is found on all continents (except Antarctica). Considered highly endemic (permanent manifestation of the disease in a particular area), Leningrad, Tver, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Kaliningrad, Perm, Tyumen region, as well as the Ural, West Siberian and Far Eastern regions on pasture (Ixodes) Lyme borreliosis. On the territory of the Leningrad region the major custodians and carriers of Borrelia are the taiga and the European forest ticks. Infestation pathogens of Lyme disease ticks - carriers in different natural foci may be varied over a wide range (from 5-10 to 70-90%).
Sick Lyme disease is not contagious to others.
The process of developing the disease. Infection occurs through the bite of infected ticks. Borrelia tick saliva enter the skin and propagated for several days, after which they spread to other areas of the skin and internal organs (heart, brain, joints, etc.). Borrelia in a long time (years) can be stored in the human body, causing chronic and relapsing course of the disease. Chronic disease may develop after a prolonged period of time. The process of developing the disease in syphilis borreliosis similar to the process of development.
Signs. The incubation period - from 2 to 30 days, on average - 2 weeks.
A characteristic feature of the beginning of the disease in 70% of cases is the appearance on the site of the bite mite skin redness. Red Spot periphery gradually increases, reaching a diameter of 1-10 cm, sometimes up to 60 cm or more. Spot Shape round or oval, rarely wrong. The outer edge of the inflamed skin more intensely red, somewhat raised above the skin. Over time, the central part of the spot becomes pale or bluish tint, create the shape of the ring. The site of a tick bite in the center of the spot is determined by the crust, then a scar. Spot persists without treatment 2-3 weeks, then disappears.
After 1-1.5 months develop signs of damage to the nervous system, heart or joints.
Recognition of the disease. The appearance of red spots on the site of the tick bite gives reason to think primarily about Lyme disease. To confirm the diagnosis performed blood tests.
Treatment should be carried out in an infectious diseases hospital, where first of all the therapy, aimed at the destruction of Borrelia. Without such treatment, the disease progresses, becomes chronic, and in some cases leads to disability.
Clinical examination. They have been ill are under medical supervision for 2 years, and examined after 3, 6, 12 months and 2 years.
Prevention of disease. The leading role in the prevention of Lyme disease has struggle against mites, which are used as indirect measures (protective), and direct their destruction in nature.
Protection in endemic foci can be achieved with the help of special protivokleschevye suits with rubber seals, fasteners "lightning" and others. You can adapt regular clothes For these purposes, tucking his shirt and trousers, the latest in boots, tight-fitting cuffs, etc. From mites attack on the open areas of the body in a variety of repellent agents can protect for 3-4 hours - repellents (DEET Diftolar et al.). The use of clothing impregnated with the drug "Permet" fully protects against zapolzaniya and tick bites during the day being in focus.
When bitten by a tick next day should come to the infectious diseases hospital with a remote mite for his research on the presence of Borrelia. It recommends taking Doxycycline 1 tablet (0.1 g) With a view to preventing Lyme disease after being bitten by an infected tick, 2 times a day for 5 days (children are not assigned to 12 years).