Cases are reported by state health departments to the CDC and do not include those cases handled by private physicians. Based on blood tests sent to clinical laboratories, there may be as many as 450,000 annual cases of Lyme disease. The CDC also reviewed the database of a medical claims insurer for evidence of Lyme disease and discovered that between 296,000 to 376,000 additional cases occurred annually. Clearly, it’s a major concern.
Treatment and Prevention
There was once a Lyme disease vaccine available, but the drug’s manufacturer discontinued the item in 2002, claiming that the market demand didn’t match the costs of production. Unfortunately, vaccine recipients do not have lifetime immunity -- the effect of the vaccine wears off after time.
Today, doctors treat Lyme disease mostly by administering antibiotics over several weeks, hoping to knock out the infection before serious complications develop.The recommended treatments include doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime axetil, but penicillin or ceftriaxone intravenous treatments can be recommended if serious complications develop.
Defend Yourself
The best defense against Lyme disease is to avoid the tick’s bite. Use insect repellent, wear clothes that cover your body, including socks and shoes, and use pesticides to cover exposed skin (but never on your face). Spray solutions that contain up to 30 percent of DEET should be used on exposed skin and clothing. Some outdoor adventurers use a repellent called Permethrin.