Case study Bacterium Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bacterium - Case Study Example Her immediate history of visiting to the wilds and then generating a circular rash with a dim center in the form of a bulls eye is an indication of Lyme disease (Mayo Clinic, 2012). Answer - Symptoms in Lyme disease are common to many other conditions such as joint disorders, viral infections, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The ticks are responsible of spreading not only Lyme disease but can spread other diseases as well. Usually, it is identified with a characteristic rash on the body. Past medical history is used to correlate with likely possibility of Lyme disease. In order to confirm the diagnosis of this disease, physician prescribes lab tests so that antibodies to the bacteria may ascertain the disease. Body takes time to develop antibodies hence lab tests are suitable only after a few weeks of an infection (Monroe, 2001). The Elisa test is used to detect Lyme disease. The test identifies antibodies to B. burgdorferi; however, it may provide false positive results too so it is not a sole basis for diagnosis (Maryland Medical Center 2011). Answer - A bulls eye rash is the most discerning sign of Lyme disease infection. The rash usually takes time of 2 weeks to develop after the tick bite. Fever, joint pains, fatigue and chills accompany the rash. There are other diseases with matching symptoms. Ruling out other Tick-Borne infections is necessary to diagnose Lyme disease. Other infections cause similar symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle ache and some neurologic features similar to symptoms found in Lyme disease. The most salient feature in the Lyme disease is a rash typically known as Bulls eye rash. Other tick-borne infection known as human monocyte ehrlichiosis (HME) develops similar rash as found in Lyme disease but that has been identified mostly in southern parts of US (Maryland Medical Center 2011). Answer - Lyme disease during all phases is treated by antibiotics. According to the