HESI Peds Topics version 1
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most common tickborne disorder in the United States. It is caused
by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which enters the skin and bloodstream through
the saliva and feces of ticks, especially the deer tick. Most cases of Lyme disease are
reported in the Northeast from southern Maine to northern Virginia. The disease may
initially appear in any of three stages:
ERUPTIONS CAUSED BY RICKETTSIAE
DISORDER,
ORGANISM, MANIFESTATIONS MANAGEMENT COMMENTS
AND HOST
Usually self-
limiting in
children
Gradual onset—Fever, malaise,
Onset in children
Rocky Mountain anorexia, myalgia Control—Protection
may resemble
spotted fever—
Abrupt onset—Rapid from tick bite by
any infectious
Rickettsia
temperature elevation, chills, wearing proper
disease
rickettsii
vomiting, myalgia, severe apparel, tick
Severe disease
Arthropod—Tick headache repellent
rare in children
Transmission— Maculopapular or petechial Tetracycline or
Inspect children
Tick rash primarily on extremities chloramphenicol
and dogs
Mammal source (ankles and wrists) but may Vigorous supportive
regularly if they
—Wild rodents, spread to other areas, therapy
play in wooded
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most common tickborne disorder in the United States. It is caused
by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which enters the skin and bloodstream through
the saliva and feces of ticks, especially the deer tick. Most cases of Lyme disease are
reported in the Northeast from southern Maine to northern Virginia. The disease may
initially appear in any of three stages:
ERUPTIONS CAUSED BY RICKETTSIAE
DISORDER,
ORGANISM, MANIFESTATIONS MANAGEMENT COMMENTS
AND HOST
Usually self-
limiting in
children
Gradual onset—Fever, malaise,
Onset in children
Rocky Mountain anorexia, myalgia Control—Protection
may resemble
spotted fever—
Abrupt onset—Rapid from tick bite by
any infectious
Rickettsia
temperature elevation, chills, wearing proper
disease
rickettsii
vomiting, myalgia, severe apparel, tick
Severe disease
Arthropod—Tick headache repellent
rare in children
Transmission— Maculopapular or petechial Tetracycline or
Inspect children
Tick rash primarily on extremities chloramphenicol
and dogs
Mammal source (ankles and wrists) but may Vigorous supportive
regularly if they
—Wild rodents, spread to other areas, therapy
play in wooded
