Lyme disease - chronic persistent Health Article

Definition

Chronic persistent Lyme disease is a late stage of an inflammatory disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. It is also called Stage 3, or tertiary, Lyme disease.

See also:

• Lyme disease
• Lyme disease - early disseminated
• Lyme disease - primary

Alternative Names

Tertiary Lyme disease; Stage 3 Lyme disease; Late persistent Lyme disease; Lyme arthritis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of a deer tick.

Some people may not be treated for Lyme disease because they do not have any symptoms or their symptoms are mild. Stage 3 Lyme disease may develop months or even years after the Lyme disease infection.

Even people who were treated may develop Stage 3 Lyme disease.

Symptoms

Chronic, or Stage 3 Lyme disease can affect the skin, brain and nervous system, and muscles, bones, and cartilage.

Symptoms include:

• Chronic arthritis
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Joint inflammation in the knees and other large joints
• Memory loss
• Mood changes
• Sleep disorders

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

• Abnormal sensitivity to light
• Confusion
• Decreased consciousness
• Numbness and tingling

Signs and tests

A blood test can be done to check for antibodies to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The most common one used is the ELISA for Lyme disease test. A Western blot test is done to confirm ELISA results.

A spinal tap will be abnormal if you have central nervous system symptoms from the disease.

Treatment

Antibiotics are given to fight the infection. Medications sometimes need to be given through a vein (intravenously).

Stage 3 Lyme disease is treated for up to 28 days with antibiotics. If arthritis symptoms do not go away, a second 2 - 4 week course of antibiotics may sometimes be used. Antibiotics given by mouth (doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime) are used most of the time.

A 2 - 4 week course of intravenous ceftriaxone may be used for treating severe Lyme disease that affects the nervous system.

Treating patients for longer periods of time is generally not thought to be helpful, even if symptoms do not go away.