Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called borelia burgdorfi and is transmitted via a tick bite. It was first recognized in Lyme, Connecticut because of a drastic increase in juvenile arthritis among children.
Prevalence among children
According to the California Lyme Disease Association, "this disease is most common among boys aged 5 to 19. This age group is affected at three times the average rate of all other age groups. Around 25 percent of all reported cases are children."
Correctly diagnosing children with Lyme
One of the biggest obstacles patients find is that their symptoms are vague at best and most often mimic other diseases and disorders. Flu-like symptoms are common, so caregivers and pediatricians may attribute the child's symptoms to another cause, such as the flu or common cold.
Lyme symptoms in children
According to the California Lyme Disease Association, Lyme pediatric specialist Charles Ray Jones, MD, states the following as symptoms reported in pediatric Lyme patients: severe fatigue unrelieved by rest, insomnia, headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, impaired concentration, poor short-term memory, inability to sustain attention, difficulty thinking and expressing thoughts, difficulty reading and writing, being overwhelmed by schoolwork, difficulty making decisions, confusion, uncharacteristic behavior, outbursts and mood swings, fevers/chills, joint pain, dizziness, and noise and light sensitivity.
Effects on children
Children bitten by ticks around the head and neck are considered more vulnerable to brain and central nervous system infections, according to the California Lyme Disease Association. This, coupled with the above symptoms, can lead a child to feel isolated and alone, not being able to understand why he is feeling so sick. The child may also face developmental delays.
Considerations
According to the California Lyme Disease Association, only about 50 percent of Lyme patients ever recall being bit by a tick or getting the classic "bull's eye" rash that typically accompanies a bite. If you child is experiencing any of the above symptoms and is at increased risk for tick exposure (i.e., plays outside, lives with dogs or cats that could bring ticks in the house), consult your pediatrician.
Treatment
There is no known cure for Lyme disease. Rest is imperative for the body to heal itself. Antibiotic regimens have proved successful but are typically dependent on the length of treatment and severity of symptoms.
Tags: California Lyme, California Lyme Disease, Disease Association, Lyme Disease Association, Lyme Disease