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Treatment Options
Lyme Disease
How is it treated?
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone. When treated in the early phases, Lyme disease is curable in most patients with a short course (10 to 21 days) of antibiotics. When treated early, patients often have a fast recovery. Late phase Lyme disease is treated with longer courses of antibiotics (up to 28 days), and Lyme disease with nervous system symptoms including meningitis may require treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Although most cases resolve following a 10-28 day course of antibiotics, treatment of Lyme disease does not always grant a cure. Some patients suffer from the disease with persistent or recurrent symptoms for years. Whether these individuals should receive repeat or prolonged therapy with antibiotics is currently controversial.
The best thing to do is to prevent Lyme disease. You can prevent Lyme disease by preventing tick bites. Ticks are out in full force in the U.S. in May, June, and July so pay special attention when going outdoors during these months. To prevent tick bites use insect repellants with 20%-30% DEET on adults and 10% DEET on children, wear long pants, sleeves, and socks. Check yourself for ticks daily. Remember even if you get a tick bite, it can take up to 48 hours for the infection to begin so prompt removal of the tick can help prevent Lyme disease.
Proper Tick Removal
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Last Updated: July 2007
This content was created by members of the DrugDigest team of experts and is solely under DrugDigest's editorial control.
Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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How is it treated?
