Treatment varies for Bell’s palsy in children with Lyme disease
“The UK county of Hampshire is a high incidence area of Lyme disease,” according to a recent article in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. ¹ Hampshire is a county in southern England. The study aimed to investigate the extent of idiopathic Bell’s palsy in children, the degree of variation in treatment, and “whether Lyme disease was being considered as a cause and being investigated and treated appropriately.”
Drive-thru pharmacy for Lyme disease treatment with doxycycline?
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines advise that patients receive a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline after a tick bite to prevent Lyme disease. The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) opposes that recommendation. Nevertheless, a pharmacist-run clinic within the Veterans Health Administration implemented IDSA’s single-dose Lyme disease treatment with doxycycline as a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following a tick bite.
Lyme disease can lead to long-term sequelae
How bad is Lyme disease? As the number of cases continues to rise, a recent review by Mac and colleagues entitled “Long-term sequelae and health-related quality-of-life associated with Lyme disease: A systematic review”¹ finds that Lyme disease can often lead to poor outcomes. This should come as no surprise to the many patients already suffering from chronic illness due to Lyme disease.
Lyme disease case definition misused. Perspective.
A recent article “Evaluating the Potential Misuse of the Lyme Disease Surveillance Case Definition,” by Perea and colleagues [1] highlights a concern that I have raised in previous blog posts. That is, are doctors incorrectly relying on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance definition when evaluating and diagnosing patients?
Lyme disease and double vision
I will be discussing a 69-year-old man with Lyme disease and double vision. In this case, the man developed Lyme disease and double vision from 3rd nerve palsy rather than the more common 7th nerve palsy.
Looking for a Lyme doctor?
Lyme disease patients with a tick bite in an endemic area can exhibit an erythema migrans rash, 7th nerve palsy, heart block, meningitis, or Lyme arthritis. But, if a person lacks these early finding or develop chronic manifestations of Lyme disease or co-infections may find it difficult to find a doctor experienced in treating chronic manifestations of Lyme disease.
Lyme disease in COVID-19 pandemic could be overlooked.
Don’t forget about cancer in a COVID-19 pandemic, states Cortiula and colleagues in their article “Managing COVID-19 in the oncology clinic and avoiding the distraction effect.” [1] “Diverting the attention exclusively to the COVID-19 situation and overshadowing the everyday clinical practice may have substantial negative implications, especially for cancer patients.”
Chinese man with a negative Lyme disease test. An inside Lyme Podcast.
I will be discussing a 75-year-old Chinese man with a negative Lyme disease test. How often have doctors dismissed Lyme disease if the screening tests are negative?
Risks for Lyme disease patients during a COVID-19 pandemic. A perspective.
Hundreds of thousands of people contract Lyme disease every year. Some of them remain chronically ill. What are the risks for Lyme disease patients during a COVID-19 pandemic?
A boy with severe cardiac Lyme disease. An Inside Lyme Podcast.
I will be discussing a 15-year-old boy with severe cardiac Lyme disease in this Inside Lyme podcast.