Essay on Understanding and Preventing Lyme Disease: Insights into Vector-Borne Pathogens

Introduction

Vector-borne pathogens are ailments that are a result of infections that are transmitted to human beings as well as other animals by blood-feeding anthropods or insects like ticks, fleas, lice mosquitos, and bedbugs (Lemon, 2008). These vectors are carriers of pathogens like bacteria, protozoa, and viruses that can be transferred from one host to another. For instance, in the United States, there are more than 14 vector-borne ailments, and they account for a significant number of deaths in a year. These vector-borne ailments include Lyme disease, Malaria, West Nile Virus, and plaque, to name a few. This paper will focus on Lyme disease, what vector causes it, how to avoid contracting the ailment, the different treatment options available in case you contract the disease, and a summary of the life cycle of the vector.

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Preventative Measures for The Vector-Borne Disease

Vector control is the most appropriate measure to prevent vector-borne ailments. That means that prevention of exposure to epidemics by managing the population of vectors is a challenging proposition given the ecology and the population biology pf the vectors (Clark et al., 2008). For individuals who are involved explicitly in contact vector-infested areas, there are some steps that they can employ to eliminate the risk of transmission of vector disease (Lemon, 2008). For instance, wearing ankle-length pants, which are tacked into the socks, provides a protective barrier against the vectors. Wearing a bright color is also useful in ensuring that dark-colored vectors are visible.

The use of Repellants is also useful in decreasing the incidences of vector bites. Like the use of typical commercially available compounds containing DEET is effective in preventing vectors like tick bites. Additionally, the visual pursuit for the vectors is an effective way to prevent the bites that can cause illnesses. Visual inspection of the backyards, oneself, children, and pets, as well as the removal of vectors as soon as they are realized, is ineffective in minimizing the chances of contracting the diseases.

Treatment

Lyme ailment is best managed or treated in the early stages. The treatment for the localized disease is a 10 -14 days oral antibiotics course to eliminate the infection from the body. The types of medication used comprise amoxicillin, doxycycline, as well as cefuroxime, and these, are the first line of treatment in adults. However, for nursing and breastfeeding mothers, amoxicillin and cefuroxime are used. However, for some other types of Lyme ailments such as the involvement of the cardiac or the central nervous system intravenous (IV) antibiotics are used as stated in the article produced by Healthline Editorial Team and Laura Goldman in 2019.

Life Cycle of Vector (Deer Tick)

The life cycle of the Deer tick or the black-legged tick lasts for approximately two years, and it mostly begins in spring when the engorged full-grown female ticks lay the fertilized eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae in the months of summer, and during this time, the larvae take their first blood meals from small birds and mammals. At this stage, these larvae are not a danger to humans since they do not hatch infected, but they are at risk of contracting Lyme disease in case they feed on an already infected host. After they become engorged, they will fall off their host and become dormant over the fall and make use of the blood as energy to molt into the next stage of life Nymph.

The nymphs are, however, not active throughout winter, but once spring arrives, they become active mostly in August and May. During this time, they feed once more on small or medium mammals for approximately five days. If the nymph had been infected by Lyme disease from its previous host, then it transmits the virus to its new host. However, if it was not infected, it might get affected by its new host in case the host is infected, as stated in the article produced by “Healthline Editorial Team and Laura Goldman in 2019.” Owing to their small size, they go for a long time without being noticed by humans which increases the chances of transmitting the disease (Lemon 2008).

Once engorged by blood, the nymph falls off their hosts and molt into adults. These adult ticks actively seek a host like a deer, which is its preferred hoist, and other large mammals, including humans and their pets. The ticks that have a host by fall or spring feed for roughly seven days but intermittently. The matting also takes place at this time, and it can be on or off the host. The female then falls off their host and lays their eggs underneath leaf litter, approximately 2000-4000 eggs are laid per female, and after that dies, leaving the eggs to hatch in the summer. On the contrary, the male dies after mating.

Conclusion

Vector-borne diseases contribute to a significant number of deaths globally, especially Lyme disease, if it goes untreated. Therefore, it is essential to understand these kinds of ailments, including the preventative measures that one can take to minimize the risk of contracting the illness. It is also necessary to understand the treatment options available in case a person contracts the disease.

References

Clark, R. P., & Hu, L. T. (2008). Prevention of Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Infections. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America, 22(3), 381-396. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891552008000184?via%3Dihub

Healthline Editorial Team and Laura Goldman. (2019, November 12). Everything You Need to Know About Lyme Disease. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/lyme-disease

Lemon, S. M. (2008). Vector-borne diseases: Understanding the environmental, human health, and ecological connections: Workshop summary. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.