Little Tick Bite, Big Problem: Lyme Disease
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease and the sixth most common notifiable infectious disease in the United States. Lyme disease is a vector-borne zoonotic disease that is usually transmitted by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by ticks of the genus Ixodes. Generally associated with a tick bite lasting 36 hours or more and closely associated with erythema migrans, this infectious disease is rarely fatal but often causes symptoms including arthralgias, arthritis, central nervous system complications, and a variety of other problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and numerous professional organizations have developed guidelines for prophylaxis and treatment. Ample information is available to help individuals who wish to avoid tick bites, successfully remove ticks, access testing, or receive treatment. Pharmacy staff are apt to encounter many of these individuals and can be excellent healthcare resources.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- List the prevalence of and risk factors for Lyme disease
- Recognize Lyme disease’s signs, symptoms, and more serious manifestations
- Describe prophylaxis and treatment options in Lyme disease’s various stages
- Use good patient engagement techniques to ensure optimal outcomes in patients who suspect they have Lyme disease
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. History of Lyme Disease
III. Reservoirs and Transmission
IV. Epidemiology and Burden of Disease
V. Risk Factors for Lyme Disease
VI. Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease
A. Early Disseminated Disease
B. Late Disease
VII. Diagnosis
VIII. Prevention
IX. Prophylaxis and Treatment
A. Antibiotic Prophylaxis
B. Treatment
X. Implications for Pharmacy Teams
XI. Summary
From March 12, 2024 through March 12, 2027, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Jeannette Y. Wick, RPh, MBA, FASCP, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Pamela Sardo and Jeannette Y. Wick have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter discussed. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.