Summer is such an exciting time of year, and it is right around the corner. This means school is out, all outdoor activities will kick into high gear, and everyone will take more vacations. Lyme Disease is one thing that everyone should be aware of, especially those with animals. Check Point Urgent Care can not only diagnose and treat illnesses like Lyme Disease but explain what these diseases are and how to prevent them.
Lyme Disease
What exactly is Lyme disease? It is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. It is transferred to humans through infected ticks. If you own pets and they become infected with Lyme Disease, they can also spread the illness to you. This disease comes from a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, and in some rare cases, it can come from the bacterium Borrelia Mayonii.
How to Recognize Lyme Disease
Recognizing this disease can be difficult in some cases because it has a wide range of symptoms, but the symptoms also look similar to many other illnesses. A few early symptoms to look out for occur within 3-30 days after the bite, which is the initial infection. These symptoms are:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle or Joint Aches
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
These symptoms are very similar to other infections; however, if these symptoms are accompanied by Erythema migrans (EM) rash, you need to visit Checkpoint Urgent Care as soon as possible.
Prevention
If you own pets, they should be on preventative medication. This is to prevent the likelihood of your pets catching the disease and spreading the disease to you as well. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, using bug spray or repellant will keep you safe from tick bites. You can also treat your yard with an insect treatment that eliminates ticks from your outdoor area.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Healthcare providers at urgent care have to diagnose and treat Lyme Disease in patients diligently. Many factors go into this. First, they will have to determine if the patient has been at high risk for exposure to ticks and ensure no different illness is causing the symptoms. Then healthcare providers will do laboratory testing that checks for antibodies. This part can be tricky because antibodies can take time to show up, so if the patient was recently infected, they might test negative. Retesting is essential, and Checkpoint Urgent Care will meet your needs.
Antibiotic Therapies
This Disease manifests itself in different ways. These ways are as follows:
- Erythema Migrans
- Neurologic Lyme Disease
- Lyme Carditis
- Lyme Arthritis
Testing is important to diagnose the specific type and treat each manifestation with different antibiotic therapies. These regimens are consistent with the guidance published by the Infectious Disease Society of America, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American College of Rheumatology.
Testing For Lyme Disease
If you spend a lot of time outside, own pets, travel, or even live in high-risk areas for ticks and feel you may have been exposed to a tick bite; you must come to Checkpoint Urgent Care to get tested. Find a location nearest to you.
Early detection and treatment are key, and the healthcare providers at Checkpoint Urgent Care can meet all your needs and ensure you can be cured of Lyme Disease.
