Lyme Disease

Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete bacterium-spirochetes are slender, spiral shaped bacteria, and this germ causes Lyme disease, which is a potentially serious long-term illness in people. Minute ticks that commonly feed on deer and on mice are responsible for the transmission of this disease. These infected deer ticks, spread the disease by biting people especially when they are walking about in areas which deer or field mice frequent in the wild.

When a tick carrying the bacteria bites a person, it results in that person becoming infected with the disease. The bite is however often difficult to tell, as the bites are often painless and because these deer ticks are so tiny, it is possible to overlook their presence on the body of the person-they may go unnoticed by the infested individual himself or herself. An added complication is that these symptoms that are generated by the bacteria often mimics those of other conditions and as a rule the symptoms experienced vary from one person to the other. This is the reason that a proper diagnosis for Lyme disease is often missed especially in the early stages of the disease.

The bite marks of the tick are usually on the arms or legs of the person-though this is not always the case. However, a characteristic first sign noted in the majority of people with Lyme disease is a "bull's-eye" marking at the site of the bite. The shape of the bite mark is typically a round, raised and reddish lesion, paler or even white at the center of the raised skin. As infection progresses, the bull's-eye rash often gradually expands from the center in some cases; while in other cases, there may be development of a bumpy rash on the torso of the afflicted individual. During the entire course of the disease, the various signs and symptoms of the disease may come and go unpredictably in the affected individual. These signs and symptoms often accompany the formation of the bull's-eye mark and can come along with a rash or sometimes with flu like symptoms, these can include conditions such as a fever, body chills, and a headache, in addition the person may feel terrible aches in the body. Different people get different symptoms; some developing an enlargement of the spleen and the lymphatic glands, sore throat and severe headaches may be evident in others, while still other patients may suffer from nausea and vomiting as a result of the disease. After the initial bite of the tick, a combination of symptoms can occur or the symptoms might occur singly. In general these symptoms can develop anywhere starting at three days to three weeks from the bite of the tick. Another variable factor is the course of the recovery from the disease. Different people respond in different ways to the disease, while some people recover well enough after suffering the initial symptoms of the illness. Many other patients go on to develop long-term, and even chronic conditions and added complications, these can include physical problems such as arthritis, many forms of neurological disorders, in some patients the symptoms can also include an enlargement of the heart and the developing of an irregular heartbeat in the affected person. The aches and the physical fatigue frequently last for weeks on end in most patients affected with this disease before a recovery is made.

Early diagnosis is the single most critical factor in the successful treatment of Lyme disease. It is a good idea to immediately contact a doctor for advice if there is any suspicion that a person or a child may be developing Lyme disease. Because proper diagnosis and correct treatment is so important, the utilization of a blood test can help confirm whether or not the child or individual has been infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium; if the bacterium is found in the blood test, then Lyme’s disease is confirmed. Because of the fact that results so obtained from a blood test are not found to be positive for several weeks after the infection is contracted, a repeat test is usually not advised for patients.

Supplements and herbs

See age-appropriate dosages of herbal remedies

A great supplement to boost recovery is the use of a combination formula containing the Echinacea and goldenseal herbs, these two will help to clear the infection and help support the child's immune system; this will speed the rate and level of recovery from the disease. Children can be given a single dose, thrice each day, for a treatment regimen lasting up to two weeks at a stretch.
For your attention: because it loses its effectiveness over a prolonged period of use, the herb Echinacea should not be administered on a daily basis for more than ten days at a single dosage regimen.

Children can also benefit from the bactericidal properties of garlic. Dosage for children can include a single dose, two times every day, for a period of two months.