The Therapy | Neuroborreliosis – What is it?

The Therapy

Since neuroborreliosis is a bacterial infectious disease, it is treated with antibiotics. Suitable preparations are penicillins, cephalosporins and doxycycline. Drug treatment usually takes about three weeks.

However, in severe forms, especially if the brain has also been affected, permanent damage may occur. Late stage therapy consists of various measures. As a rule, antibiotics are used.

In the late stage, treatment with intravenous penicillin G is recommended for 2-3 weeks or, in the case of penicillin allergy, therapy with cephalosporins for 2-4 weeks. Individual symptomatic, drug and non-drug therapies may also be advisable. For example, ergotherapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy may be indicated.

The aim of these therapies is to maintain existing skills and expand resources. In the foreground are the improvement of the quality of life and the preservation of the greatest possible independence in all areas of life. It is also important that relatives are advised and guided by the therapists and doctors. In some cases, aids are also needed and adequate advice on aids is required.

The prognosis

The prognosis and the chances of a cure for neuroborreliosis depend on the severity of the clinical picture. In a form that only affects the meninges, the prognosis is generally good with timely antibiotic therapy. If the brain is also affected, permanent damage is more frequent, for example in the form of paralysis or numbness.

If the disease is diagnosed too late or not at all, a chronic course can develop, which can also manifest itself in relapses.If the symptoms from stage 2 of neuroborreliosis have not healed sufficiently, damage to the joints and thus arthritis may occur. Furthermore, the liver, heart and eyes can be damaged. Paralysis, such as facial paralysis, may persist.

In addition, some authors discuss a post-lymphic disease syndrome, which is also called “fibroma-like” complaints or “chronic fatigue“. This is a description of non-specific complaints in patients with neuroborreliosis. The complex of symptoms includes tiredness, lack of concentration and listlessness. Whether these complaints are actually related to neuroborreliosis is a matter of controversy.