Lyme disease - chronic persistent Health Article

Definition

Chronic persistent Lyme disease is a late stage of an inflammatory disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. It is also called Stage 3, or tertiary, Lyme disease.

See also:

• Lyme disease
• Lyme disease - early disseminated
• Lyme disease - primary

Alternative Names

Tertiary Lyme disease; Stage 3 Lyme disease; Late persistent Lyme disease; Lyme arthritis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of a deer tick.

Some people may not be treated for Lyme disease because they do not have any symptoms or their symptoms are mild. Stage 3 Lyme disease may develop months or even years after the Lyme disease infection.

Even people who were treated may develop Stage 3 Lyme disease.

Symptoms

Chronic, or Stage 3 Lyme disease can affect the skin, brain, and nervous system, and muscles, bones, and cartilage.

Symptoms include:

• Chronic arthritis
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Joint inflammation in the knees and other large joints
• Memory loss
• Mood changes
• Sleep disorders

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

• Abnormal sensitivity to light
• Confusion
• Decreased consciousness
• Numbness and tingling

Signs and tests

A blood test can be done to check for antibodies to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The most common one used is the ELISA for Lyme disease test. A Western blot test is done to confirm ELISA results.

A spinal tap will be abnormal if you have central nervous system symptoms from the disease.