(CNN)Vaccine maker Pfizer and French vaccine company Valneva have joined Phase 3 clinical trials of vaccine candidates for Lyme disease. He states that he has started the trial. SE.
“As the global incidence of Lyme disease increases, it is more important than ever to provide people with new options to protect themselves from Lyme disease,” said Pfizer. Says Analysa Anderson, Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research and Development. , Said in a news release.
VLA15 is the only lime vaccine in clinical development, Pfizer said in a statement. Targeting Borrelia brudolferi, a major cause of tick-borne disease, "it has shown a strong immune response and a sufficient safety profile in previous preclinical and clinical studies."
Pfizer states that it can submit approval applications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in 2025 if studies show that the vaccine is safe and effective. ..
What is Lyme disease?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is the most common vector infection in the United States and is becoming more common in more regions.
An estimated 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, which is probably overkill, as they may be treated without formal confirmation of Lyme disease, according to the CDC. It is an evaluation.
The only vaccine previously sold in the United States was discontinued in 2002.
Symptoms of Lyme disease
Fever, cold, body pain, swelling of lymph nodes, neck stiffness, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, rash are all Lyme disease It is a typical symptom of.
When a tick bites, it usually has a small red ridge that looks like a mosquito bite. However, after 3 to 30 days, if a rash appears and expands from its red area and looks like a bull's eye, it indicates a possible Lyme disease.
Doctors call this a rash erythema migran. In many cases, it expands slowly. It usually does not itch or hurt, but it may feel a little warm to the touch.
70% to 80% of people with Lyme disease develop this rash, and some develop rashes in multiple parts of the body.
According to the CDC, if left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. This can lead to joint pain and swelling.
After weeks or months, swelling of the membrane surrounding the brain, temporary paralysis of one side of the face, and "brain fog" (forgetting or confusion) may occur.
How people get Lyme disease
Most commonly, black-footed mites, also known as deer ticks, suffer from Lyme disease. They live in the northeastern United States, the Mid-Atlantic coast, and the upper Midwest. Western black-footed mites carrying Lyme disease can be found along the Pacific coast.
Most people get Lyme disease in the spring and summer. It is when immature mites, called nymphs, are most actively feeding, when most people go out and walk in wooded areas where grass and insects like to hang out.
What to do if you are bitten
Tick can be small: Deer ticks can be as small as the head of a pin, so look carefully ..
Removing ticks within 24 hours reduces the risk of developing Lyme disease. The longer a tick attaches to the body, the more likely it is that a person will be infected. Use tweezers to carefully and steadily pull out the tick and grab it near your mouth or neck. Next, place a disinfectant on the infected area.
If you are bitten and have symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Even if the symptoms disappear, you should see a doctor.
Treatment of Lyme disease
The standard treatment for early-stage Lyme disease is oral antibiotics. A 14- to 21-day course is usually recommended, but some studies suggest that a 10- to 14-day course is equally effective, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If the central nervous system is affected by the disease, intravenous antibiotics can be given for 14-28 days. This treatment removes the infection, but it may take longer to recover from the symptoms. Side effects of this treatment may include a decrease in white blood cell count, diarrhea, or infection by other microorganisms that are resistant to antibiotics unrelated to Lyme disease.
According to the Mayo Clinic, people taking antibiotics early in the illness generally recover completely. Patients treated later in the infection may take longer to respond to treatment.
Prevention
CDCs should wear insect repellents with a DEET concentration of at least 20% to avoid grassy forest areas where mites are most often seen. Is recommended.
Check for mites daily and take a shower frequently if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Washcloths help get rid of non-attached mites.
When you are outside, cover it up. Wear long sleeves, long trousers, and a hat when walking or hiking in the woods.
Dogs and cats can also bring pests inside, so check them out to prevent ticks in your yard. Remove the leaves and polish where the mites want to hide. Mow the lawn.
Other facts about mites
These spiders cannot fly or jump, hosting mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, etc. wait. -Feed while resting on the tips of grass and shrubs. They grab leaves and grass with their lower limbs. This is a position called "question".
As the host passes by, the tick climbs and finds a place to bite.
In addition to Lyme disease, at least 20 known medical conditions can result from tick bites.