63% of Vector-Borne Diseases are Caused by Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is not widely recognized in the community, but it is the most common vector-transmitted disease in the United States and Europe. According to statistics, 262,481 confirmed cases of Lyme disease were reported between 2007 and 2018. Lyme disease accounts for 63 percent of all vector-borne diseases and 82 percent of tick-borne diseases. Therefore, this extremely important problem is listed in the list of compulsory diseases in the USA as 6. What is Lyme disease and how is it transmitted? Yeditepe University Hospitals  Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu conveyed the following information on the subject...
Stating that 300 thousand patient notifications were made every year in the USA after 1991, Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu said that the real number is thought to be 8-10 times the reported number. Lyme disease can occur at any age, but its incidence is increasing, especially in children aged 5-14 and adults aged 45-55.

How is Lyme Disease Transmitted?

Lyme disease was first identified in 1977 in a group of children in the town of Lyme, Connecticut, and was thought to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In 1980, it was discovered that it was a spirochete. Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu stated that the causative agent of the disease is Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayoniiis transmitted to people with infected tick adherence. After 7-14 days, fever, weakness, and characteristic rash appear where the tick enters the skin with its success. This condition is defined as erythema migration. A week can last 10 days and pass by itself. Stating that the disease should be treated during this period, Prof. Dr. Sönmezoğlu pointed out that otherwise, the infection could progress to the joints, heart, and nervous system. 
 

What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu: ''The symptoms of the disease consist of 3 periods: early period skin, early diffuse, and late disease.  The late disease can also occur weeks or months after the first skin rash. The most common symptom is arthritis.'' Noting that encephalitis, which is also sneaky in the nervous system, can also cause polyneuropathy, Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu also added: ''The diagnosis of the disease is based on clinical manifestations, especially a history of tick contact and a characteristic rash. Laboratory tests also support the diagnosis. Most Lyme patients are successfully treated with several weeks of antibiotic therapy. Taking precautions against ticks and using pesticide sprays can help protect against the disease.”