Chronic Lyme arthritis
Chronic Lyme arthritis is a recurring form of joint inflammation caused by Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that is spread through tick bites. Symptoms of chronic Lyme arthritis include episodes of swelling, redness, and fluid buildup in one or more joints that last up to 6 months at a time.
When a person is not treated for Lyme disease, chronic Lyme arthritis can develop. Some experts believe chronic Lyme arthritis is caused by an exaggerated response of the body's immune system.
Chronic Lyme arthritis usually responds to antibiotic treatment. However, joints that have been badly damaged by Lyme arthritis may take a long time to get better after the bacteria have been killed or they may not respond to treatment at all.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
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