Treatment of Lyme disease (lyme borreliosis)

Treatment of Lyme disease is based on the use of antibacterial drugs, the doses and duration of which are determined by the stage and form of the disease. Timely treatment promotes rapid recovery and prevents the process from becoming chronic.

In cases of mixed infection (Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis), along with antibiotics, immunoglobulin against tick-borne encephalitis is used in calculated doses.

Detoxification treatment of Lyme disease is carried out according to general principles. Vascular agents and antioxidants are used according to individual indications.

During the rehabilitation period, hyperbaric oxygenation, exercise therapy, and massage are performed. Sanatorium and resort treatment is indicated for patients in remission with chronic disease with damage to the bone, joint, and nervous systems.

Regime and diet

The patient's activity regimen is determined by the severity of Lyme disease: ward regimen - for mild to moderate cases of the disease; bed rest - for severe cases, myocarditis, cardiac arrhythmia, meningoencephalitis, polyarthritis.

No special diet is required for patients (table no. 15).

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Approximate periods of incapacity for work

Acute course, stage of early localized infection - 7-10 days. Acute course, stage of early disseminated infection - 15-30 days.

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Clinical examination

Outpatient observation in a polyclinic is carried out by a general practitioner or an infectious disease specialist for 2 years. In the case of a previous mixed infection with tick-borne encephalitis, the period of outpatient observation is increased to 3 years.

When examining patients, special attention is paid to the condition of the skin, bone and joint, cardiovascular and nervous systems. In the absence of complaints and a drop in antibody titers to B. burgdorferi, patients are removed from the dispensary register.

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Patient information sheet

Lyme disease is transmitted only through a bite from an infected tick. All people are susceptible to tick-borne borreliosis, regardless of age and gender. The incubation period is 10-14 days. The course of the disease is varied. At the first stage of the disease, lasting up to one month, malaise, fever, and muscle pain are possible. The main symptom is reddening of the skin at the site of the tick bite, gradually increasing in size and reaching 60 cm in diameter. The second stage (1-6 months) is characterized by the development of neurological and cardiovascular complications. At the late stage of the disease (more than 6 months), joint, skin, and other inflammatory processes develop. The main treatment for the disease at all stages is antibiotics.

How to prevent Lyme disease?

Specific prevention of Lyme disease has not been developed. Measures to prevent infection:

• acaricidal treatment of forest park areas, places of mass recreation, local treatment of the most visited forest areas;
• wearing protective clothing when walking in the forest;
• individual use of repellents;
• self- and mutual inspections after visiting the forest;
• immediate removal of the detected tick and treatment of the bite site with iodine tincture;
• testing of ticks for the presence of borrelia and tick-borne encephalitis virus in the laboratory;
• consult a doctor when the first signs of illness are detected (increased body temperature, reddening of the skin at the site of the bite).

For emergency prevention of Lyme disease, antibiotics of various groups are used: doxycycline, bicillin-3, amoxicillin, amoxicillin trihydrate + clavulanic acid.

What is the prognosis for Lyme disease?

Lyme disease has a favorable prognosis. Late or inadequate treatment of Lyme disease leads to progression, chronicity and often leads to disability.