What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. It's transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. The Borrelia bacteria is the culprit, and while ticks don't get sick from it, they can pass it on to other animals, including humans.
How can I get Lyme Disease?
Most commonly Lyme Disease is acquired from the bite of an infected black-legged tick.
Where is it possible to get Lyme Disease?
It is possible to contract Lyme disease in many areas across the United States, and throughout the world. Ticks carrying Lyme disease are found in tall grass, leaf litter, brushy and wooded areas, especially the woodland edge, in rural areas and in cities.
Even in areas that aren’t known to be endemic for Lyme disease, remember that people travel, pets travel, and ticks travel, creating opportunities for exposure.
What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme?
Common symptoms of early Lyme disease include
- Rash - most are solid pink to red; uncommon: “bull’s-eye” or other appearance
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint pain
The non-rash symptoms are often described as a “summertime flu.” Some people may notice areas of numbness or tingling.
Once the infection spreads beyond the skin, it can affect any system of the body, causing many symptoms including:
- Debilitating fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Arthritis
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Nerve pain and weakness
- Heart problems
- Psychiatric symptoms: anxiety, depression, irritability, psychosis, and more
- Difficulty with thinking, memory, language and math skills
- Sleep disturbance
- Problems with vision and hearing.
What should I talk to my doctor about if I’m worried about Lyme?
Make sure you talk to your doctor about:
- Where you live, your activities, and travel (exposure risks)
- Any symptoms and signs you have experienced, even if you’re not sure they’re connected to Lyme
- Any pre-existing conditions you have
- Any allergies you have
- Any medication intolerances you may have
- If you’ve just been bitten, discuss preventative antibiotic treatment
- If you have the tick you were bitten by, discuss testing it for pathogens
How can I tell if I have Lyme disease?
Lyme disease should be clinically diagnosed. This means a medical professional must evaluate your symptoms, physical findings, exposure risk, and any test results to determine whether you have the disease. No single factor or test result is enough to determine whether you do or do not have Lyme or other tick-borne illnesses.
