Lyme update
Jul. 15th, 2005 03:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
enot06Tanya-Ruth's 2nd blood test (Western blot) again confirmed Lyme.
I asked to pass a message to the doctor regarding my concern that she may have aquired other tick-transmitted thingies in addition to Lyme which may require longer or different treatment.
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of patients may be co-infected with the Lyme disease agent and one of other tick-borne pathogens: babeosis (parasite) and ehrlichiosis (bacteria). The incubation period for babesiosis is typically 1- 6 weeks after a tick bite.
The information is coming from official website - Mass. Gov. Dept of Public Health & New England Medical Center.
The reason I go in details here in my livejournal - I had a problem finding the info on Internet quickly last time the doctor called. I want to be more prepared this time. I wonder if I have to paste treatment options in my lj as well to be even more prepared (this was my share of sad humor).
CO-INFECTION
Do I. scapularis ticks transmit other infectious agents?
In addition to B. burgdorferi, I. scapularis ticks transmit Babesia microtii and the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichiosis, which is due to a rickettsia-like orgranism that infects white blood cells, may cause a flu-like illness with high fever, particularly in elderly individuals. Babesia microtii, a red-cell parasite, usually causes only mild or asymptomatic infection, but in elderly or asplenic individuals, it may result in a severe, malaria-like illness. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of patients may be co-infected with the Lyme disease agent and one of these other tick-borne pathogens. Such individuals may have a more severe, acute illness. However, neither babesia nor ehrlichia are known to cause chronic disease, as with untreated B. burgdorferi infection.
I asked to pass a message to the doctor regarding my concern that she may have aquired other tick-transmitted thingies in addition to Lyme which may require longer or different treatment.
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of patients may be co-infected with the Lyme disease agent and one of other tick-borne pathogens: babeosis (parasite) and ehrlichiosis (bacteria). The incubation period for babesiosis is typically 1- 6 weeks after a tick bite.
The information is coming from official website - Mass. Gov. Dept of Public Health & New England Medical Center.
The reason I go in details here in my livejournal - I had a problem finding the info on Internet quickly last time the doctor called. I want to be more prepared this time. I wonder if I have to paste treatment options in my lj as well to be even more prepared (this was my share of sad humor).
CO-INFECTION
Do I. scapularis ticks transmit other infectious agents?
In addition to B. burgdorferi, I. scapularis ticks transmit Babesia microtii and the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichiosis, which is due to a rickettsia-like orgranism that infects white blood cells, may cause a flu-like illness with high fever, particularly in elderly individuals. Babesia microtii, a red-cell parasite, usually causes only mild or asymptomatic infection, but in elderly or asplenic individuals, it may result in a severe, malaria-like illness. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of patients may be co-infected with the Lyme disease agent and one of these other tick-borne pathogens. Such individuals may have a more severe, acute illness. However, neither babesia nor ehrlichia are known to cause chronic disease, as with untreated B. burgdorferi infection.
