Lyme disease is a nasty infection brought about by a tick bite that’s carrying a particular type of bacteria. Although it’s unlikely that your child will suffer at the hands of this disease, it’s obviously important to be aware of it and know what to do should the scenario arrive in which Lyme disease could be a serious risk. This article is going to look at 5 things to do when your child has Lyme disease.
Identify the symptoms
Knowing what to look for when it comes to Lyme disease is important as the earlier it’s diagnosed, the more treatable it is. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Nausea and abdominal pain
- Frequent fevers
- Impaired concentration
- Mood swings
- Joint pain
One of the most indicative symptoms that your child has Lyme disease is a distinctive rash with a red central spot, a circling clear spot and then more red around the edges. It doesn’t itch but will feel warm to touch.
Call your doctor
If you even suspect that your child has Lyme disease then call your doctor. The sooner it is treated, the more likely you will be able to minimise the amount of damage the infection can cause and so it’s important not to hesitate.
Go to the emergency room
Not all children have the rash, and sometimes it can develop further, skipping that stage entirely. This means that your child is at a higher risk and that it’s imperative they receive treatment as soon as possible.
Treat with antibiotics
Once you’ve seen a doctor, the likelihood is that if your child has Lyme disease, it will be treated with oral antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can also be prescribed if your child is suffering from joint pain.
Have a blood test
If you feel that a trip to the doctor is necessary, you could also ask for a blood test to determine if your child has Lyme disease. Blood tests are used to identify the antibodies to the Lyme bacterium and if there is a positive outcome for the antibodies, then it’s likely that your child has been infected.
Unfortunately, it can take a while for the antibodies to appear in the blood stream and this means that a blood test will only come back positive after four weeks or more of infection.
Monitor your child’s condition
The history of symptoms is incredibly important. If you’ve managed to identify the rash early and sought treatment straight away, then this will prevent further damage. As mentioned earlier, it might be that your child doesn’t have the rash and so it’s important to monitor other symptoms that they have and potentially keep a record if you can. Should you get to the point where a blood test is necessary to identify the issue, a history of symptoms will also help to make a quicker diagnosis.
If you’re unsure or have any questions about Lyme disease, then speak to your doctor.
Resources:
https://www.babycenter.com/0_lyme-disease_1464208.bc
http://www.healthline.com/health/lyme-disease#overview1
http://www.chp.edu/our-services/infectious-diseases/lyme-disease-faq
https://www.thebump.com/a/lyme-disease-baby
https://www.babycenter.com/0_lyme-disease_1464208.bc?page=2
https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/lyme-disease/children/
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/lyme.html#
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