Lyme disease
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe. About 5-35 % of ticks are infected with borrelia. The bite of a tick containing borrelia leads to inflammation in 20-30% of those affected. Infection can occur from March to October (possibly earlier and later if weather conditions are suitable), with a peak in the months of June and July.
Where do Borrelia bacteria occur?
Lyme disease is globally distributed (northern hemisphere: North America, Europe and Asia). It can be assumed that there is a risk of infection in all parts of Germany, but there are no comprehensive epidemiological studies.
How does the infection occur?
Transmission occurs in Central Europe through bites of the shield tick (wood tick). The incubation period (time of ingestion of the pathogens until disease) after the tick bite can vary greatly:
- Days to weeks for stage I,
- weeks to months for stage II
- months to years for stage III.
It should be noted that different combinations can also occur.
What are the symptoms?
The complaints and symptoms of Lyme disease are extremely varied. A spontaneous healing is possible in every stage of the disease. In the clinical course, each stage can be skipped.
- Stage I: After a tick bite, a circular redness appears at the site of the bite. Headache and malaise may occur as accompanying symptoms.
- Stage II: Burning pain or paralysis may occur weeks to months after the tick bite.
- Stage III: Symptoms occur months to years after infection and may be chronic. The knee joints are most frequently affected, then with decreasing frequency ankle joints, elbow joints, finger joints, toe joints, carpal joints and jaw joints.
What are the diagnostic measures?
Lyme disease is primarily a suspected clinical diagnosis, which is supported by the medical history and laboratory diagnostics. In laboratory diagnostics, the detection of specific antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid is the first priority.
What should I do after a tick bite?
In case of a tick infestation, the tick must be removed immediately and the wound carefully disinfected. An immediate presentation to the family doctor is recommended.