What are the long-term risks for a child with Lyme disease?
ShareThisJuly 22, 2008 1:40 PM My son was diagnosed with Lyme disease last summer after having been bitten by a deer tick.
What are the long-term risks for a child with Lyme? Will he always have the disease? Will the symptoms recur?
Lyme disease is a common illness in Southeastern Massachusetts. It is carried and transmitted by deer ticks, and children are at risk for tick bites after playing near any wooded area, specifically if walking through tall grass. Deer ticks are so small that people often don't see them when they are attached.
Lyme disease has different phases of illness.
The first stage is soon after a bite, when people may have fevers, headaches, body aches and fatigue. This stage often also has a rash that looks like a bulls-eye, which is not painful or itchy. These symptoms, if untreated, resolve, but there are second stages of the illness that may develop.
Not everyone will have the same second stage symptoms, but they may include joint pain and swelling, paralysis of muscles on one side of the face, headache, and abnormalities of the electrical rhythm of the heart.
All the manifestations of Lyme disease are treatable with antibiotics, and the long-term risks due to Lyme disease are minimal. Your child should be considered cured after completion of their antibiotics and the symptoms should not recur. However, given how common tick bites are in our area, it is possible to become re-infected with Lyme disease.
The best way to prevent this is to routinely check your child over for ticks. I recommend doing this every night before bed - search especially in the armpits, groin, back of the neck, and scalp. If you have concerns or questions you should contact your physician immediately.
-- Katherine Frias, MD, is a pediatrician for Southcoast Primary Care located at 49 State Road in North Dartmouth. She is a SouthCoast native and practices with Lawrence R. Dehner, MD.
Submit your questions Have a question for a pediatrician? We'll be happy to ask it for you. E-mail us at [email protected]Posts: 983 | From The sky | Registered: Feb 2005
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Wow, Katherine, thank you for your searing insight into Lyme....what would the scientific community do without you?
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
lymeblue, you have confused me!
this is about kids w/lyme article; why not show that as a title?
posted
I am surprised she did not state a Snoopy band-aid over the bite is all that is needed and of course payment on time. Take 2 baby aspirin every third Tuesday....
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When I lay my head upon my pillow tonight, I will rest assured that the treasures of the future (i.e., our children) are in your hands.
What's the M.D. for .... Medical Diety?, Much Dung?, unMitigated Denial?
Note to Self:
The doctor's response to a rightfully-concerned parent is the biggest heap of rhetorical bull conocky I've seen today.
Posts: 503 | From Maryland | Registered: Oct 2007
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lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
Betty, Don't be confused. Blue is correct. This is a horrible article. Stupid Duck...lmt
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
I just sent this note to them... and do read the link. VERY good stuff!
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A deeper understanding of what is going on will help save lives- especially our children's lives.
posted
I think the MD needs a balloon telegram so it really catches her attention. Lets be fair she could have undiagnosed and under treated Lyme brain.
Maybe the telegram person can dress up as a dancing bear in a pink tutu wearing a stethoscope around their neck.
posted
I think this article illustrates that we really have a long road ahead of us.
It could be years before the medical community understand the severity and chronic nature of this illness.
It makes me sad.
-------------------- I was diagnosed with and treated for late stage Lyme in 1991 with 6 weeks of doxycycline. Initially felt better, but then developed health problems that last until today. Posts: 83 | From New Jersey | Registered: May 2008
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