| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | An inflammatory disease characterized by cardiac and neurological symptoms caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi , which is transmitted by the bite of a deer tick . |
| Alternative Names | Early disseminated Lyme disease; Stage 2 Lyme disease |
| Causes, incidence, and risk factors | See Lyme disease for a description of the initial stages of the disease. Secondary Lyme disease develops within days to months after the tick bite , when the infection spreads via the lymph system or bloodstream. The central nervous system and cardiac system may be affected. Symptoms may be intermittent and may disappear after days, weeks, or months. Involvement of the heart occurs in 8% of people with untreated Lyme disease. Neurologic involvement occurs in 10% of patients with untreated Lyme disease. |
| Symptoms | headachefatigue general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling ( malaise ) lethargymuscle painsstiff neckjoint inflammation in the knees and other large joints heart palpitations syncope (passing out) blurred vision Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease: speech impairmentnumbness and tinglingnausea and vomitingmuscle painmuscle function/feeling loss movement, dysfunctionalhallucinationsfacial paralysis (also called Bell's Palsy) eyelid droopingconsciousness, decreasedconfusion abnormal sensitivity to light |
| Signs and tests | a physical examination to reveal signs of neurologic or cardiac involvement ELISA test to screen for antibodies '>antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi Western blot to confirm the presence of antibodies '>antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi tests that detect cardiac abnormalities ECG (also called EKG) chest X-ray may show heart failure CSF analysis may show inflammation |
| Treatment | The objective of treatment is to eliminate the infection by antibiotic therapy. Penicillin, doxycycline, cefuroxime, and ceftriaxone are frequently used. Ceftriaxone is often used to treat secondary Lyme disease. Note: Oral doxycycline is usually not prescribed for children until after all the permanent teeth have erupted -- it can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming. |
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| Expectations (prognosis) | Symptoms of arthritis may fail to respond to treatment. Other symptoms should improve with treatment. |
| Complications | tertiary Lyme disease or late persistent infection |
| Calling your health care provider | Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop. |
| Prevention | Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease is the most effective way to prevent secondary Lyme disease. |
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