Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi). Certain ticks carry the bacteria. The ticks pick up the bacteria when they bite mice or deer that are infected with Lyme disease. You can get the disease if you are bitten by an infected tick.

Lyme disease was first reported in the United States in the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975. Cases have now been reported in most parts of the US. Most occur in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and along the Pacific coast. Lyme disease is usually seen during the late spring, summer, and early fall.

There are three stages of Lyme disease.

• Stage 1 is called primary Lyme disease.
• Stage 2 is called secondary Lyme disease.
• Stage 3 is called tertiary Lyme disease.

Risk factors for Lyme disease include walking in high grasses, doing activities that increase tick exposure, and having a pet that may carry ticks home.

Symptoms    Return to top

Not everyone infected with the bacteria gets ill. If a person does become ill, the first symptoms resemble the flu and include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Lethargy
• Muscle pain

There may be a "bulls-eye" rash, a flat or slightly raised red spot at the site of the tick bite often with a clear area in the center. It can be larger than 1 - 3 inches wide.

Symptoms in people with the later stages of the disease include:

• Body-wide itching
• Joint inflammation
• Stiff neck

Note: Deer ticks can be so small that they are almost impossible to see. Therefore, many people with Lyme disease never even saw a tick.

A blood test can be done to check for antibodies to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The most common one used is the ELISA for Lyme disease test. A western blot test is done to confirm ELISA results.

A physical exam may show joint, heart, or brain problems in people with advanced Lyme disease.

Most people who are bitten by a tick do NOT get Lyme disease. Antibiotics may be offered to someone who isn't sick if:

• They have a tick that can carry Lyme disease attached to their body
• The tick is estimated to have been attached to them for at least 36 hours
• They can begin taking the antibiotics within 72 hours of removing the tick
• They are over 8 years old and are not pregnant or breastfeeding

Antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease. The specific antibiotic used depends on the stage of the disease and the symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, are sometimes prescribed to relieve joint stiffness.

When walking or hiking in wooded or grassy areas:

• Spray all exposed skin and your clothing with insect repellant (spray outdoors only, do not use on face, use just enough to cover all other exposed skin, don't spray under clothing, don't apply over wounds or irritated skin, wash skin after going inside)
• Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants with the cuffs tucked into shoes or socks
• Wear high boots, preferably rubber

Check yourself and your pets frequently during and after your walk or hike.

Ticks that carry Lyme disease are so small that they are very hard to see. After returning home, remove your clothes and thoroughly inspect all skin surface areas, including your scalp.