A 17-year-old presents with a target lesion after camping and has systemic symptoms. What is the preferred pharmacologic management?

In this scenario, the 17-year-old patient is presenting with a target lesion and systemic symptoms following a camping trip, which raises suspicion for Lyme disease, particularly if the camping location was known for tick exposure. Doxycycline is the preferred treatment for confirmed or suspected Lyme disease in adults and adolescents over 8 years of age due to its effectiveness in eradicating the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which causes the disease.

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that is not only effective against Borrelia but also has good tissue penetration, which is important for treating infections that may affect the joints, heart, or nervous system in Lyme disease cases. Furthermore, it has anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate some symptoms associated with Lyme disease.

In contrast, other options like Bactrim, Azithromycin, and Metronidazole do not target Borrelia effectively. Bactrim is generally used for bacterial infections like those caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, and Azithromycin is typically reserved for respiratory infections and some sexually transmitted infections. Metronidazole is effective against anaerobic bacteria and protozoa but does not have activity against Lyme disease. Thus, the selection of doxycycline is well