Fever, joint pain, headache (…): These symptoms, which are as frequent as they are debilitating, can be linked to Lyme disease transmitted by ticks. The Supreme Health Authority has just released a guide to better advise patients.
91 cases per 100,000 residents. This is the annual incidence of Lyme disease in France. This is called a bacterial infection Lyme disease “In scientific terms, it is transmitted by the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria” Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato Many symptoms related to this disease should be alerted after the bite: for example fever, skin diseases, joints, meningeal neurological signs …
Disable signs
These clinical signs, persistent, diffuse and unexplained, are often particularly debilitating (article in link below). However, many patients today face medical fugue, which delays access to care. To improve the care of these patients and in view of the increasing cases, the Supreme Health Authority published in March 2022 a ” A guide to the pathway of care for patients with suspected Lyme disease », intended for health professionals (link below). Target? ” Outline for each of the situations encountered, the action to be taken and the patient’s medical guidance » In the city-hospital care track distributed around the five tick-borne disease management reference centers (CR MVT) designated in 2019 by the Ministry of Health (article in link below).
Three levels of support
This guide is divided into three levels of support, from the simplest to the most complex. At level 1, follow-up is provided by the attending physician who removes the tick and gives appropriate treatment with antibiotics. Level 2 indicates the need for the intervention of a competent specialist or center for tick-borne diseases in the case of “ Other suggestive signs within six weeks of the bite Finally, Level 3 is geared towards interdisciplinary expertise with potential. Second line of antibiotic therapy The mental health system also addresses patients themselves with some advice on self-monitoring and prevention. For example, extract the tick immediately with a tick attractor, monitor the bite area for at least a month and share information on the patient’s progress with the treating physician if necessary.
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