Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites. This disease is rarely found in Indonesia, but you can become infected while traveling abroad. If you have Lyme disease, you should see a doctor right away because untreated infections can lead to organ complications.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of a black-legged tick infected with the bacteria. This disease is common in the United States, Canada, and Europe but rare in Indonesia. However, you can still become infected while traveling abroad.

If you live or spend a lot of time in tick-infested areas such as grassy fields, bushes, and forests, you are at high risk of contracting Lyme disease. It is crucial to take precautions in these environments to avoid infection.

Lyme disease develops in three stages:

• Initial Localization: This stage occurs shortly after the tick bite and can last for a few days or weeks if the infection has not yet spread throughout the body
• Early Dissemination: In this stage, bacteria begin to spread throughout the body, typically developing within the first four months of infection
• Late Dissemination: If Lyme disease is not treated properly, it progresses to this stage, causing joint inflammation, decreased immunity, and heart problems

The symptoms of Lyme disease

One easily recognizable symptom of Lyme disease is the appearance of a reddish rash on the skin. Also known as erythema migrans, is characterized by the appearance of reddish rash spots at the site of a tick bite. This rash appears approximately 1-4 weeks after the bite.

The reddish spots spread over several days or weeks, forming a circular, triangular, or oval rash. The rash may also appear as a red ring around a clear central area and can range in size from a coin or as wide as your back. As the infection progresses, multiple rashes may appear on the patient's body.

In addition to the rash, other symptoms of Lyme disease include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Aches and pains in the joints and body
• The body gets tired easily
• Swollen lymph nodes

When Lyme disease progresses to the second stage, symptoms may include:

• Multiple areas of rash
• Facial muscle paralysis
• Disruption of the heart's electrical system
• Numbness

If Lyme disease progresses and is left untreated for a few months to a year after infection, the symptoms may worsen, including:

• Recurrent episodes of swollen joints (arthritis), the infection affects large joints such as the knees
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating, indicating that the bacterial infection is causing brain damage
• Nerve damage throughout the body including skin, muscles, and organs (polyneuropathy)

Is Lyme disease deadly?

Lyme disease is not fatal and has a low mortality rate. Most patients who develop Lyme disease and receive early treatment promptly recover. However, even with treatment, some patients may experience long-term effects known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.

Lyme disease can lead to serious complications if not treated correctly. One of the complications is Lyme carditis, which disrupts heart function and can be fatal.

Lyme disease can be transmitted through tick bites. To avoid tick bites, wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants when visiting grassy areas, bushes, or forests. If you experience Lyme disease symptoms after traveling, see a doctor immediately.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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