Antibiotic Therapy for
Lyme Disease

In patients suffering from Lyme’s disease, the most effective treatment involves immediate administration of antibiotics.

Antibiotic prescriptions, along with the patient’s progress and their side effects, are integral to the treatment and will help mitigate complications linked to the disease.

This section will explore antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease treatment options. Unlike West Nile disease, Lyme’s disease is manageable if treated at an early stage.

What antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease?

Some commonly used antibiotics for treating Lyme’s disease are prescribed by the doctor according to the person’s health condition.
These antibiotics kill the Borrelia bacteria effectively, alleviating the symptoms and complications associated with the disease. The choice of the medicine entirely depends on the stage of weakness in extravagance progressive and other patient-specific considerations.
For the most serious cases, patients exhibit severe cardiac or neurological symptoms which require the administration of intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone. Borrelia antibiotic treatment strategy is focused on the age of patients, severity of ailments, and medical background.
These antibiotics prevent the advancement of the infection by killing Borrelia bacteria.

Infection and symptom severity improvement drastically increases when a patient is treated at the right time with the appropriate antibiotic.

How long does antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease last?

In the initial stages, the antibiotic treatment lasts for 10-21 days.
In late stages, Lyme or with severe complications, the duration may be longer, usually 2-4 weeks, depending on the patient condition and symptoms.
In severe cases such as neuroborreliosis, these patients usually require IV antibiotics and may depend on it for a longer time.

As always, completing the course of antibiotics is necessary in eliminating the infection so as to prevent any recurrence or complications.

Although, sometimes the antibiotic treatment fails to provide necessary outcomes that also can cause recurrence of Lyme disease and other complications. Thereby, it is vital to keep an eye and consult the doctor if any serious aid is needed.

What happens if Lyme disease is left untreated?

If Lyme disease is left untreated it can progress to the late stage with complications of arthritis, neurological disorders, and heart issues. Thus, it is a strong argument that early treatment through antibiotics would avoid such critical results.
Neurological disorders, such as meningitis, memory loss, or facial palsy, may also occur. In some cases, if left untreated, infections can lead to Lyme carditis, which causes irregular heart rhythms or other cardiac problems.

It is through the early administration of effective Lyme disease antibiotics that these complications are prevented. Early recognition of symptoms and subsequent treatment is therefore critical in preventing long-term health issues.

How effective are antibiotics for late-stage Lyme disease?

Antibiotics are effective for late-stage Lyme disease but may take more time to fully recover. Sometimes, intravenous antibiotics are needed to treat a severe case where complications like neurological or joint damage have occurred.
For Lyme arthritis, oral or intravenous antibiotics can help reduce joint inflammation, but recovery can take months.
Although antibiotics effectively clear Borrelia bacteria, damage from the prolonged infection may include nerve or joint impairment that requires additional therapy, such as physical rehabilitation. Early detection and treatment greatly improve outcomes, making early medical attention of utmost importance.

What should you avoid during antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease?

During antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease, avoid consuming alcohol, which can interfere with medication, and limit sun exposure to prevent skin sensitivity.
Antibiotics may increase the sensitivity to sunlight, so sun and protective clothing should be used. Some antibiotics have dietary restrictions on forms of calcium-rich foods to enhance their absorption.
Always follow dietary restrictions, and consult your doctor about any medications or supplements you take to avoid potential interactions. By following such precautions, optimization of treatment and easy recovery can be expected.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering how to treat Lyme disease, antibiotic therapy remains the primary and most effective approach.
From early symptom relief to controlling late-stage complications, these therapies prevent long-term damage.
Involving prompt intervention with the awareness of side effects will produce better results in patients with Lyme disease.

References

Johnson L, Shapiro M, Stricker RB, Vendrow J, Haddock J, Needell D. Antibiotic Treatment Response in Chronic Lyme Disease: Why Do Some Patients Improve While Others Do Not? Healthcare. 2020; 8(4):383. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8040383.
Hirsch, A.G.; Herman, R.J.; Rebman, A.; Moon, K.A.; Aucott, J.; Heaney, C.; Schwartz, B.S. Obstacles to diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease in the USA: A qualitative study. BMJ Open 2018, 8, e021367. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Johnson, L.; Shapiro, M.; Mankoff, J. Removing the Mask of Average Treatment Effects in Chronic Lyme Disease Research Using Big Data and Subgroup Analysis. Healthcare 2018, 6, 124. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
Fallon, B.A.; Zubcevik, N.; Bennett, C.; Doshi, S.; Rebman, A.W.; Kishon, R.; Moeller, J.R.; Octavien, N.R.; Aucott, J.N. The General Symptom Questionnaire-30 (GSQ-30): A Brief Measure of Multi-System Symptom Burden in Lyme Disease. Front. Med. 2019, 6, 283. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Provides Estimates of Americans Diagnosed with Lyme Disease Each Year. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0819-lyme-disease.html (accessed on 30 September 2020).

Antibiotic Therapy for Lyme Disease