Lyme Disease: The Top 10 Questions
Is there a cure for Lyme disease?
Yes, there is a cure for Lyme disease. It is often managed effectively when the disease is detected during its early stage.
Patients who were treated with the appropriate antibiotics in the earlier stages of Lyme disease normally recover quickly and completely. Also, those who are diagnosed during the earlier stages of the disease are prescribed oral medications for between 2 and 3 weeks. People with more severe symptoms, such as neurological impairment, may require intravenous antibiotics. The antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for oral treatment include amoxicillin, cefuroxime axetil, or doxycycline. On the other hand, patients with certain cardiac or neurological forms of illness may need intravenous treatment with medications like penicillin or ceftriaxone.
Treatment for more advanced Lyme disease may run anywhere from several weeks, a month, or possibly more.
A small number of people still have some symptoms after treatment. These may include muscle aches and fatigue. These continuing symptoms, known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, have an unknown cause and antibiotic treatment doesn't help. Some experts believe that some people who get Lyme disease are prone to develop an autoimmune response that contributes to their symptoms. People with post-treatment Lyme disease are recommended to take medicines for fatigue and pain. Techniques to reduce stress, such as yoga or deep breathing, and talk therapy to manage symptoms is also recommended.
