Lyme disease - early disseminated Health Article

Definition

Early disseminated or secondary Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

See also:

• Lyme disease
• Lyme disease - chronic persistent
• Lyme disease - primary

Alternative Names

Lyme disease - secondary or stage 2; Stage 2 Lyme disease, Bannwarth syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. Secondary Lyme disease develops within days to months after the tick bite. The infection spreads through the lymph system or bloodstream.

Symptoms

Some patients will remember having a tick bite or symptoms of stage 1 Lyme disease. Some patients with early disseminated or secondary Lyme disease may not have any history of symptoms, tick bites, or skin rashes.

Lyme disease can affect the central nervous system and heart (cardiac system). Symptoms can come and go and may disappear after days, weeks, or months.

Symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
• Headache
• Heart palpitations
• Light-headedness
• Joint inflammation in the knees and other large joints
• Lethargy
• Muscle pains
• Stiff neck

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Abnormal sensitivity to light
• Confusion
• Decreased consciousness
• Drooping eyelids
• Dysfunctional movement
• Facial paralysis (also called Bell's palsy)
• Hallucinations
• Loss of muscle function and feeling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness and tingling
• Speech impairment

Signs and tests

A physical examination may show signs of nervous system (neurological) or heart problems.

Tests that may be done include:

• Chest x-ray
• ECG
• ELISA test to screen for substances specific to the infection (in blood)
• Examination of cerebrospinal fluid
• Western blot to confirm the presence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi