...Introduction Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that is caused by the bite of a tick, these ticks carry the spiral shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. A human will contract this disease if they are bitten by an eight-legged tick that is in the middle stage of its life, called nymphs. If the tick is attached to the body for 36 hours than it can transfer the Borrelia burgdorferi to the person which it is attached to. Which is why it is important to check for ticks if you have been in an wooded area. Lyme disease has varying symptoms and “It can affect any organ of the body, including the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, and the heart” (Lyme Disease.org). Lyme disease has three different stages of the disease that each have their own symptoms involved with the stage. It can be hard to diagnosis this disease based off the fact that is has many symptoms like other many diseases or other health problems so patients are frequently misdiagnosed. Lyme disease may not get diagnosed on time before it becomes chronic Lyme disease which is much harder and can take much longer to treat. Without diagnosis and proper treatment, the bacteria will continue to move throughout the body and will start to affect many other organs causing way worse effects than if they...
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...the experiences of other Lyme patients, the struggles they faced against doctors and scientists of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just to prove that they had Lyme disease. While Weintraub and her husband were caring for the children, including their Lyme infected son Jason, they soon showed symptoms of being ill themselves. However, whenever they tried to get tested for Lyme disease, the results came back inconclusive enough for the doctor to disregard it. They were patients who failed to mount the complete response, receiving a ‘negative,’ or sometimes a ‘equivocal,’ and routinely sent packing without any treatment...
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...Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is characterized by neurologic, joint, and cardiac manifestations. Lyme disease is carried by ticks. The manifestation begins with a small bite from the tick and then a rash formed. When the development of a rash is noticed, it is often a serious issue that requires a doctor’s care, and can be fatal. The symptoms for Lyme make it difficult to diagnosis because they can be misconstrued by a large number of other diseases that range from arthritis to multiple sclerosis to Alzheimer’s disease. The origin of Lyme can be traced back to Lyme, Connecticut and the disease was first recognized in the 1960’s. Polly Murray moved to Lyme, Connecticut in 1959 with her four children. Within a few years of living in Lyme she began having periodic flu-like illnesses, headaches, and odd rashes. When she first went to the doctor they thought she had rheumatic fever and the doctors gave her penicillin. This helped for a little while but the symptoms returned in the spring and summer. In the early 1970’s Murray asked her doctor if this illness could be a delayed reaction to a tick bite, because she knew she had been bitten by ticks over the years. The doctor said no because she had no symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and in those days that was the only disease people thought was caused by ticks. Soon kids all over her neighborhood were coming down with the same symptoms...
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...Lyme Disease Paula Mastroianni Lehigh Carbon Community College Lyme Disease Pathophysiology Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium can infect a human host’s skin is bitten primarily by an infected deer tick. The infection is transmitted through the host’s bloodstream from the bacterium infected saliva and feces of the deer tick attached to the host’s skin (Hockenberry, Wilson, & Rodgers, 2017). The usual symptoms expressed include “fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017, para. 1). Etiology People with untreated Lyme disease can develop a range of complications depending upon the stage of their infection that...
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...James Gwinn BIOL 840 Infectious Disease - Fall 16 Case Study Scenario: Earlier this week, a middle-aged man came into an urgent care facility referencing a high fever and severe chills for a couple days. He has also been experiencing muscle aches, headache, and an overall tiredness. He has not been feeling well for the past two weeks. Since the patient revealed that he did not receive a seasonal flu-shot, he was prescribed Theraflu and sent home. After a couple more days, the patient returned to the office with no improvement with additional nausea and vomiting. The doctor prescribed a simple blood test and noticed that the man was suffering from hemolytic anemia. The man is from New Hampshire and spends most of his time outdoors. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and trail-hiking. He has...
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...Lyme’s Disease When a family plans their summer vacation camping in the park or near prime fishing and hunting areas, it is not in the front of their minds to be very watchful for nymph (juvenile) ticks, as there is a possibility they may contract Lyme’s Disease. What is Lyme’s Disease you may ask? Well I asked the very same thing in July of 2014 when I was diagnosed with just that. Since than I have read many articles, scientific research findings, ranging from the CDC websites, Mayo Clinics website, and even American Lyme’s Disease Association, trying to fully understand just what this disease is. I would like to take a little time to share with you my findings, from its definition, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, and treatments to its possible long-term effects on an individual. First its important to know that Lyme’s Disease is transmitted from the deer tick to humans, the tick is the carrier of the bacteria Borrella burgdorferi, which is a bacterium called a spirochete, and the cause of what we now call Lyme’s Disease. It was not truly identified and named until 1975, when an unusual number of children in Lyme Connecticut were diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. However manifestations of Lyme’s disease have been reported in Europe as early as 1883. Untreated the Lyme bacteria travels through the blood stream to various body tissues, causing a number of symptoms, some which are severe. LD manifests itself as a multisystem inflammatory disease that affects the skin early...
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...Personal Impact Paper: Lyme Disease Eric Bickhart University of Phoenix student NUR/427 August 4, 2014 Amy Highland Personal Impact Paper: Lyme Disease “Since its identification nearly 30 years ago, Lyme disease has continued to spread, and there have been increasing numbers of cases in the northeastern and north central US. The Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, causes infection by migration through tissues, adhesion to host cells and evasion of immune clearance” (Steere, 2004). This disease is transmitted to humans from the bite of the Blacklegged (deer) tick. It usually produces a bulls-eye rash, but not in all cases. According to National Library of Medicine (2013), "Stage 3 or late disseminated Lyme disease can cause long-term joint inflammation (Lyme arthritis and heart problems. Brain and nervous system problems are also possible" (Outlook (Prognosis)). Lyme disease has afflicted a high school basketball coach and gym teacher of a small school in Liberty, Pa at age 36. He is the father of two children and a member of a local sportsman's club. He has been dealing with the ongoing symptoms related to chronic Lyme disease for about seven years. It has been a life altering disease for a previously active young man. He reports symptoms as severe pain and swelling in all of his joints that inhibit full rotation similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Also, he has persistent severe back pain which keeps him on the sidelines during most of his career and...
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...habitat of other species, as well. These changes cause concern regarding the impact the overpopulation has on the environment and other species of animals. There is also an increased human health and safety issue with the increase of deer. Deer overpopulation is causing many concerns, including human health and safety concerns, ecological impacts, and economic losses. The human health and safety issues associated with deer are primarily deer-vehicle collisions and transmission of Lyme disease. “It is estimated that 29,000 people are injured and 211 lose their lives annually in deer-vehicle collisions in the United States.” (Curtis) This number continues to rise as the overpopulation of deer continues to increase. Deer are coming out of the woods for food and water which causes an increase in the number of deer in human populated areas and highways. Deer-vehicle collisions is also one of the many economic losses that is associated with the overpopulation of deer. The expense of vehicle repairs and, sometimes, medical bills, due to vehicle-deer collisions is very high. There is also the human health and safety issue associated with the deer and the concern of the transmission of Lyme disease, as well as other more serious diseases by the “Black Legged” or “deer tick”. Lyme disease can cause arthritis or joint pain in humans and permanent damage if left untreated or a long period of time. Lyme disease “can also cause heart, brain and nerve problems” in humans if not...
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...joints hurt? She tells him that she spent the month of August at summer camp in the mountains of Pennsylvania. She’s been wearing mostly shorts and bathing suits for the past two months, none of them new. She doesn’t remember any bites on her thigh. 1. On the basis of the oral history, what is the most likely diagnosis? What would the causative agent look like with gram stain? Lyme Disease is the most likely diagnosis (3). Borrelia burgdorferi will show up pink with gram stain because it is gram – (1). 2. How did she most likely acquire her infection? She most likely acquired the infection from an Ixodes tick bit (deer tick) at summer camp (1). 3. Would the diagnosis be any different if she had attended camp in Arizona? Explain. She may have still gotten a tick bite, but not by the same type of tick (4). In Pennsylvania, it was more than likely by a deer tick, resulting in Lyme Disease (1). In Arizona, she could have made contact with a dog tick, resulting in Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (2). 4. Why does the doctor ask if her joints hurt? Lyme Disease causes inflammation of joints, which is a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, which could develop from the disease if not treated properly in enough time (3). 5. How is this infection treated? Most cases can be treated with antibiotics,...
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...reliable sites as well. 1. What animal can transmit Cryptococcus? Bird species tend to transmit Cryptococcus. Especially in old pigeon feces and bat guano. 2. Can dogs and cats get Cryptococcus? Any animal is susceptible to getting Cryptococcus, even dogs and cats. 3. What is the infectious agent for Bubonic Plague? The infectious agent for Bubonic Plague is basterium Yersinia Pestis. 4. By how much was the world population reduced during the Plague pandemic? The world population reduced an estimated 450 million during the Plague pandemic. 5. What year (within the past 100 years) did the world experience a flu pandemic? In 1918, also known as the Spanish Flu. 6. What are 3 symptoms of chikungunya fever? 3 symptoms of chikungunya fever are fever, headache, and vomiting. 7. What bacterium causes Lyme’s disease? Borrelia burgdorferi is the bacterium that cuases Lyme’s disease. 8. What is ‘erythema migrans?’ Erythema migrans refers to the rash often seen in the early stages of Lyme disease. It’s an actual skin infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. It is also the only manifestation of Lymes disease that allows clinical diagnosis in the absence of laboratory confirmation. 9. Find a disease transmitted by rabbits and list 2 symptoms. Tularemia is a disease transmitted by rabbits. Symptoms...
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...You're an excited new mother waiting to bring your baby home. The doctor walks in , and says, "Do you want to get the first vaccines?" As a mother you wants best for your child, but do you really know what that is? Although there are people that don't believe you should have your child vaccinated, there are many people that think you should because immunizations save your child's life, protect other children, and can save you money. First of all I wouldn't want my child to be the reason other children are getting sick. There are many children that have diseases such as Lukemia that cause weak immune systems, and being exposed to non vaccinated children could really harm them. The whooping cough kills 10 to 20 babies a year. Yes, saving other...
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...DEADLY DISEASES AMONG US (Science Education NIH Supplement) 1. What disease do you think is the greatest threat to students in this class? Why do you believe that? What disease do you think is the greatest threat to the world’s population? Why do you believe that? Influenza would have to be the greatest threat. This disease is very resilient and even with a vaccine; society is still susceptible to getting infected. The disease has been given a specific time of year where it can be acquired. I feel cancer is the world’s greatest threat to the population. The disease has no known cause and no clear cut cure. By not having an identifiable cause the disease is very dangerous because society have no idea as to what avoid or what to do to prevent it. Even with all the foundations in cancer research, scientist still know very little about cancer. 2. Take the quiz on some past and current causes of death and illness (scroll down for quiz). I do not expect you to know the answers to these questions, but make well-reasoned guesses based on what you do know. 3. The quiz emphasized the impact of infectious diseases on people’s health and well-being. Even though medical advances in the last century have resulted in far fewer deaths from infectious diseases than at any other time in history, those diseases are still the leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading cause of death in the United States. In this activity you will learn about some infectious diseases that cause...
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...Pests (5 pts) Map the Chain of transmission for Lyme disease indicating the following: * Etiological agent- spirochetes from the genus Borrelia burgorferi. Reduction of host population will limit the number of ticks. I.e. limit deer and rodent population. * Reservoir- ticks. Kill ticks using environmental insecticides. * Transmission- bite from tick carrying the borrelia bacterium in its gut. Use of skin repellants. * Portal of entry- skin -wear long and long sleeved shirts. Wear light colored clothing. * Susceptible host- dogs, deers, rodents. Spray dogs and deers. Reduce population of rodents and deers in the wild. At each link insert some likely intervention that would prevent the development of Lyme disease. Food (5pts) List five consequences of under-nutrition? Osteoporosis, Intrauterine growth restriction, blindness from vitamin A deficiency, Kwashiorkor from protein deficiency, anemia from iron deficiency. If you had hamburger that you know to be tainted with E. coli and you were stuck in a cave with no other foods and no access to leaving the area for several days, would you eat the hamburger? I would eat the hamburger but only after I have taken measures to limit the amount of contamination I may be exposed to. What would do to make the hamburger safe to consume? To make the hamburger safe I would start by making a fire and cooking the hamburger, not only until the pink is not visible in the middle of the meat patty, but until it...
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...Awareness and Understanding of medical errors have become more and more common. An estimated 40,000 to 80,000 United States hospitals had deaths that occurred from a result of misdiagnosis. These errors often go unrecognized and unreported. The number one leading cause of long term disability is Stroke and is often misdiagnosed because mild and transit symptoms were overlooked. The law does not hold doctor’s accountable for ALL medical misdiagnosis mishaps and errors. In order to get a legal lawsuit going the patient must prove 3 things. A doctor/patient relationship was had between the two The Dr was negligent in what was done 3. The Dr’s negligence caused actual injury or death to the patient There are also several ways other medical professionals besides the doctor that can make diagnostic mistakes that can cause misdiagnosis errors. 1. Missed...
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...______________________________________________ MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 1) _____ A set of interacting species that live in the same area Answer: a 2) _____ A species upon which the entire ecosystem depends Answer: c 3) _____ The simplest environmental unit that can support life Answer: d 4) According to the case study in the Environmental Science textbook(“The Acorn Connection”), the incidence of lyme disease among humans increases in years when the gypsy moth population is low because: a) an abundant acorn crop draws deer into the woods b) during these years, small plants and seedlings grow particularly fast c) gypsy moth larvae are eaten by mice d) there are “bumper years” of lyme disease e) ticks like to feed on human blood Answer: a 5) The Environmental Science textbook outlines the relatively simple food chain that exists in hot springs such as in Yellowstone National Park, including the following organisms: (A) herbivorous flies (B) carnivorous flies (C) decomposers (D) photosynthetic bacteria What would be the correct order of these organisms from lowest trophic level to highest trophic level: a) C, A, B, D b) B, A, D, C c) D, A, B, C d) B, A, C, D e) C, D, A, B Answer: c 6) Which of the following is an example of three different species on three different trophic levels, listed from lowest level to highest: a) shrubs, trees, giraffes b) humans, cows, grass c) sharks, herbivorous fish, carnivorous...
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