HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Lyme Disease
Treatment Overview
Lyme disease is treated with Reference antibiotics.
The type of antibiotic your doctor gives you and the number of days you take it will depend on your symptoms and the stage of the disease. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your antibiotic treatment.
Early treatment
Antibiotic treatment for early Lyme disease is effective, and symptoms usually go away within 3 weeks of treatment.
The earlier antibiotic treatment is started after infection, the faster and more completely you will recover.
If Lyme disease isn't diagnosed and treated until later problems arise, it may take you a long time to get better. Or you may need more treatment.
Later treatment
If the disease gets worse, treatment options include:
- Reference Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Opens New Window, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These are usually helpful for symptoms of arthritis that can occur with late Lyme disease.
- Antibiotics. These may be used for achy joints caused by Reference chronic Lyme arthritis Opens New Window. But joints that have been badly damaged by Lyme arthritis may take a long time to get better, or antibiotics may not improve symptoms.
- Long-term antibiotics. These are commonly used to treat Reference nervous system Opens New Window problems such as tingling and numbness or conditions such as Reference meningitis Opens New Window.
- Antibiotics plus other treatments. These are used to help people who develop serious heart problems, such as severe Reference irregular heartbeat Opens New Window or Reference pericarditis Opens New Window, from Lyme disease. But these problems are extremely rare. Heart problems may start getting better on their own, even before antibiotics or other treatment has started.
People with partial facial paralysis as a result of Lyme disease may improve on their own without more treatment.
Even after successful treatment for Lyme disease, you can get it again. So it is important to continue to protect yourself against tick bites.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference August 21, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
