Throughout the summer of 2022, Lyme disease has been in the news because tick colonies have multiplied in Spain. This disease is contracted when the patient is bitten by a tick infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This arachnid is found on tall plants, near trails, where it attaches itself to the skin of its host, whether an animal or a person. Another source of ticks are farms and stables where there is livestock.
It is a disease that has three stages: early localized stage, early dissemination stage, and late stage. The symptoms are many and varied, and in today's article we are going to tell you about some of them, which are also common to other diseases. For this reason, it is known among medical professionals as the great imitator.
Below, we list other conditions that cause confusion among medical personnel, often leading to misdiagnosis.
Lyme disease can mimic some symptoms experienced by patients with rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. Diagnoses are often incorrect, classifying it as fibromyalgia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Some symptoms also conflict with problems detected in patients with autism or those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Finally, it is also related to the symptoms of lupus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.
Why is early diagnosis of Lyme disease so important?
For all the reasons explained in the preceding paragraphs, it is essential to make an early and accurate diagnosis of Lyme disease. If a patient suspects or has confirmation that they have been bitten by a tick, a blood test should be performed to rule out infection with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. If the disease has been contracted, treatment is much more effective if it is started immediately, and this also reduces the possible sequelae of the disease. It is very important to tackle the problem quickly and apply a medical solution to Lyme disease in the early localized phase.
At Biosalud Day Hospital, we specialize in Lyme disease and perform blood tests daily at our facilities. Our medical staff has extensive experience in treating Lyme disease and has achieved many successful recoveries from this tick-borne illness.
