Index
- What causes Lyme disease?
- What is Lyme disease?
- What are its main causes?
- How is Lyme disease transmitted?
- Is Lyme disease transmitted from one man to another?
- Do pets transmit this disease?
- What about the blood transfusion?
- Is the disease transmitted to the baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
What causes Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection recognizable by its skin symptoms. These usually consist of erythema migrans. This cutaneous manifestation of the disease was first described in 1909 in Sweden by Afzelius. However, it was not until 1977 that the vector of the disease causing transmission to humans was identified. Even today, Lyme disease is still not well known, although it is beginning to receive a lot of attention. And in what follows, light is shed on everything that concerns the causes of Lyme disease.
What is Lyme disease?
As mentioned above, Lyme disease is an infectious disease of bacterial origin. It progresses over several years and its symptoms are also progressive. At the very beginning, the person may notice some rashes that may or may not persist. Over time, the patient may experience aches and pains as well as joint symptoms. These symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joints. Headaches and irregular heartbeat may also occur. If these symptoms are not treated in time, Lyme disease can become chronic. At this stage, it can even lead to paralysis. The biggest problem for doctors in relation to this infectious disease is the diagnosis. Apart from erythema migrans, the symptoms of Lyme disease can be confused with other diseases. The patient can then be trapped in a "therapeutic wandering" for years.
What are its main causes?
At the origin of Lyme disease is the pathogenic bacterium called "borrelia". It is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. As you will have understood, not all tick bites can transmit this disease to you. The insects in question must be hosts for the Borrelia bacteria.
Concretely, two strains of the bacteria are at the origin of this pathology. On the one hand, you have Borrelia afzelii and on the other hand there is the strain transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus. The first is a fairly rare bacterium, but it does infect ticks. When Lyme disease is caused by this strain, the predominant symptoms are mainly skin disorders. This form of Lyme disease is mostly localized in Asia and parts of Western Europe. The second strain is mainly concentrated in Europe. Its host, the tick Ixodes ricinus, lives in humid and wooded areas. Parks and meadows are therefore preferred places for these ticks. Thus they can very well be found in urban parks. Another important fact to remember about this species of tick is that it can transmit the bacterium at all stages of its development. You will therefore have to pay attention to both nymphs and adult ticks. Finally, you should also know that ticks cannot live at an altitude of more than 1500 metres.
How is Lyme disease transmitted?
Lyme disease is therefore mainly transmitted by tick bites. This small insect can be infected by sucking the blood of certain animals such as rodents and birds. Once infected, it can easily bite pets, humans and pets. In any case, the disease is only transmitted when the infected tick has been hanging on the skin of its host for at least 24 hours.
Still concerning the transmission of Lyme disease, below are the most frequently asked questions.
Is Lyme disease transmitted from one man to another?
To date, no study or research has been able to confirm or disprove human-to-human transmission of Lyme disease. In any case, contact with an infected person through kissing, touching or sexual relations does not transmit the disease.
Do pets transmit this disease?
An infected dog cannot directly transmit the disease to its owner. However, by bringing infected ticks home with them, pets greatly increase the risk of being bitten.
What about the blood transfusion?
To date, there have been no cases of Lyme disease related to blood transfusion. However, if you have been affected by this infectious disease and want to donate blood, you should check with the blood bank before donating.
Is the disease transmitted to the baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
If the mother-to-be or a breastfeeding woman has Lyme disease, she may legitimately have questions about the possibility of transmission of the disease to her child. Be aware that transmission cannot take place through breast milk. And if you are pregnant, treatment must be carried out as soon as possible to avoid complications.
