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Lyme Meningitis: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions

Lyme Meningitis is an infrequent yet severe complication resulting from Lyme disease, a bacterial illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Humans contract this bacterium through tick bites; ticks are small parasites that feed on blood and transfer the organism into the human bloodstream. When the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi infiltrates the central nervous system – made up of both the brain and spinal cord – it can trigger inflammation of the meninges, which are protective membranes that cover these essential structures in the body.

How to Know if You Have Lyme Meningitis: Signs and Symptoms

A tick

Adults often experience nerve pain and paresis (weakening of the muscles) as the most common symptoms of Lyme disease. Meanwhile, facial nerve palsy and subacute meningitis are more commonly seen among children, in addition to a loss of appetite, fatigue, or mood changes. Early symptoms include facial palsy, which causes the face to drop, with pain and numbness.

On the other hand, neurological symptoms of Lyme disease typically appear in the early disseminated phase, when the tick’s bacteria have spread throughout the body. This can occur days or months after the initial tick bite. However, neurological symptoms do not always indicate meningitis. Other possible symptoms of Lyme meningitis include a stiff neck, a severe headache, nausea, vomiting, fever and light sensitivity.

Solutions for Lyme Meningitis

See a Healthcare Provider

Lyme Meningitis is treated with antibiotics. If you think you may have Lyme disease, it’s important to see a healthcare provider as soon as you can so you can begin treatment and prevent further complications.

WAVE 1

WAVE 1 is groundbreaking wearable technology designed to help people suffering from Lyme Meningitis. It uses a revolutionary form of frequency modulation to restore proper cell function, strengthen immunity, and help overcome the symptoms of Lyme disease and co-infections. It’s extremely lightweight and can be worn without causing any discomfort or disruption to daily activities.

The WAVE 1 device utilizes safe and non-intrusive vibrational frequencies to restore healthy cells. Its specially engineered frequency programs stimulate cellular communication to help reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and improve overall health. Its specially engineered frequency programs stimulate cellular communication to help reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and improve overall health. WAVE 1 users report a considerable reduction in pain and inflammation, which is associated with Lyme Meningitis.”

What’s the Probability of Lyme Disease Turning into Lyme Meningitis?

Doctors estimate that about 15% of individuals with Lyme disease have nervous system involvement. However, only 6% of cases turn into meningitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease annually in the United States. However, some experts believe that the true incidence is much higher. Recent estimates suggest that nearly 476,000 people get Lyme disease yearly in the U.S.

What’s the Difference Between Lyme Meningitis and 

Lyme Disease?

The main difference is that Lyme meningitis is a severe complication of Lyme disease. It occurs when the organism spreads to the central nervous system, which can cause inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) covering the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include facial paralysis, a stiff neck, a severe headache, nausea and vomiting, fever, and light sensitivity. Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through tick bites. Early symptoms include a rash resembling a bull’s eye, joint pain, fatigue, and fever. Left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to serious long-term health issues such as chronic arthritis, neurological disorders, heart problems, and memory loss.

Prevention Measures Before it Turns to Lyme Meningitis

It’s always better to know how to prevent Lyme disease so that it will not turn into Lyme meningitis. It all starts with being informed. Below are some suggestions to ensure you and your family are safe.

  • Consider treating your clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. This can help make boots, clothing, and camping gear resistant to ticks, even after multiple washings. Alternatively, you may be able to find permethrin-treated items already on the market.
  • Be aware of where ticks can be found: grassy, brushy, wooded, wetlands, marshy areas; or even on animals. Walking your dog, going camping, gardening, or hunting could increase your chances of coming into contact with ticks. It’s even possible to come across them in your yard or neighborhood.
  • It’s recommended to use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents that containing PicaridinDEET, IR3535oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol (PMD), and 2-undecanoate.

Once you come back to the house, below are some things you need to check:

  • Remember to take a shower soon after being outdoors. It’s been found that showering within two hours of coming indoors reduces the chances of contracting Lyme disease and could help avoid other tick borne diseases. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to do a tick check while washing off unattached ticks.
  • Be sure to check your clothing for ticks. Don’t forget, and they could be carried indoors on clothes. If you find any, they should be removed immediately. To kill ticks on dry clothing after coming indoors, tumble the clothes in a high-heat dryer for 10 minutes. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. When washing them first, hot water should be used; cold or medium temperature will not work.
  • Make sure to examine your gear and pets before arriving indoors. Ticks can be brought into the home on clothing or pets, then attach themselves later, so be sure to check over your pet’s fur, coats, and daypacks carefully.

Prevention is Key

Lyme meningitis is a severe complication of Lyme disease, which can cause serious long-term health issues if left untreated. Taking preventive measures to protect yourself and your family from contracting the disease is essential. Use insect repellents, check yourself for ticks outdoors, treat clothes and gear with 0.5% permethrin, and wash clothes in hot water. These steps can help reduce the risk of getting Lyme disease and also prevent the development of serious complications such as Lyme meningitis.