READING ON Tick-Borne Diseases

A Reading on
TICK BORNE DISEASES
Specifically, on Lyme Disease
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements in NCM-207 RLE
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING ROTATION
Submitted to:
MAE ANN CAÑON, RN, MAN.

CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
Submitted by:
MICAELLA MONIQUE U. LEONARDO, St. N.

BSN 2M
Title: Tick Borne Diseases
Bibliography:
Baker, N. Boyer, P. Talangran Reboul, E. & Hansmann C. (2019). Ticks and Tick-borne
Diseases. Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Volume 49(Issue 2), Pages 87-97
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0399077X18307194
Summary:
Since the beginning of the 20th century, there is an undeniable increase of ticks
in the environment, resulting of major human changes in biodiversity. Ticks are a major
group of arthropod vectors, both in the diversity of transmitted infectious agents and by
their impact on human and animal health, and their socioeconomic implication
especially in countries of the Southern Hemisphere. Common tick borne diseases such
as Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Powassan, and Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever are a type of disease that are transmitted through the bite of a
tick that may be infected with either bacteria, viruses, or parasites, etc. whereas when
an infected tick bites the human host, the human may become infected. Once on a host,
the tick inserts its hypostome, a central piercing element with hooks, into the host’s skin.
Some ticks secrete a cementing material to fasten themselves to the host.
The bacteria that causes it attacks your nervous system and possibly your heart,
liver, eyes, and joints as well. The most common tick-borne disease in the United States
is Lyme disease which is transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) in the
northeastern U.S. and upper midwestern U.S. and the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes
pacificus) along the Pacific coast with more than 95% reported cases. Lyme disease is
most common in children, older adults, and people who spend more time outdoors.
Symptoms appears flu like—fever, chills, a headache, and joint or muscle pain. Skin
would also show visible rashes near the tick bite anywhere from 3 to 30 days later,
leaving a “bull’s-eye” looking rash. This disease can be diagnosed primarily by the
symptoms manifested by the patient or through Serological blood tests. Medical
treatment time depends on the severity of the diseases, usually would last up to three to
four weeks. Treatment would be antibiotics, doxycycline, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone,
cefuroxime, erythromycin, cefotaxime are the common anti-infectives used.
Reaction:
Upon studying and researching on tick-borne diseases, I was able to find out that
it is quite common on North America, Europe, and Asian countries, whereas children,
old adults, and people who are involved in outdoors activities like camping, hiking, etc.
are at high risk most of acquiring the disease especially on the warmer months where
ticks are most active. Upon diagnosing, medical treatment should be start immediately.
If left untreated, the illness will progress to the second stage within days or weeks after
exposure. Symptoms include severe headaches, meningitis, swollen joints, skin lesions,
heart palpitations, dizziness, persistent fatigue, sleep disturbance, as well as loss of
muscle tone in the face (Bell's palsy).
As student nurses, important nursing management includes assertive

assessment, diagnosis, and care implementation and evaluation should be done. It is
also important that we give health teaching for preventive measures for people who
usually enjoys outdoor activities should take measures to prevent tick bites by using
repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin, wearing neutral-colored and
breathable garments, including long-sleeved shirts and pants, avoid walking in tall
grasses and shrubs, use tarps when sitting on the ground, and by always examining
owns body, clothing and gear for presence of ticks, as well as giving pets that may bring
ticks vaccination against B. burgdorferi.
This reading will serve its purpose especially when exposed in the community
where this disease can be easily acquired. Knowing risk factors, and preventive
measures that I have researched can prepare me in the field. This reading will guide me
and other further health care workers on the basics on how to deal with clients who will
and may experience this disease.

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A Reading on

TICK BORNE DISEASES

Specifically, on Lyme Disease

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements in NCM-207 RLE

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING ROTATION

MAE ANN CAÑON, RN, MAN.

MICAELLA MONIQUE U. LEONARDO, St. N.

As student nurses, important nursing management includes assertive

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