Distribution of reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease was first recognized in after a cluster of arthritis cases occurred in children living near Lyme, Connecticut. Borrelia burgdorferi was subsequently determined to be the etiologic agent of Lyme disease. Ticks that become infected with B burgdorferi acquire the spirochete through feeding on sylvatic animals such as white-footed mice and white-tailed deer, which are the principal reservoirs for the Borrelia spp.
Epizootic transmission occurs when ticks subsequently transmit the infec- tion to humans while feeding. Lyme disease can be divided into 3 temporally based stages. The common manifesta- tions of early first stage Lyme disease include a characteristic rash, erythema migrans, which is identified as a spreading erythematous rash with or without central clearing Figure On average, the skin lesion lasts approximately 3 weeks.
The rash is often accompanied by fever, headache, myalgia, fatigue, arthralgia, and stiff neck. Left untreated the disease may progress to more serious neurologic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, uni- or bilateral facial palsy, etc or cardiac atrioventricular heart block, myocarditis manifestations termed early disseminated second stage.
The infection may ultimately result in arthritis in half of infected individuals if not treated. The arthritis tends to involve large joints knee, shoulder, elbow, etc with a sudden onset. The involved joint is tender, swollen, and warm. Erythema migrans rash. The diagnosis of Lyme disease may be made clinically and confirmed serologically. If the patient presents with erythema migrans and a history of tick exposure, the diagnosis can be based solely on the clinical presentation.
However, if the patient presents later in the course of illness, serologic testing is necessary. Relapse and incomplete treatment responses happen. Complications of untreated early-stage disease include:. People aren't able to become immune to Lyme disease. So even if you've had Lyme disease, you can get it again. No vaccine is available currently to prevent the disease.
The FDA still recommended preventing the disease in other ways. In , the company that made LYMErix said it would no longer offer the vaccine. Other areas where ticks are commonly found: belly button, neck, hairline, top of the head, and in and behind the ears.
Products that have DEET repel ticks, but they don't kill them. Products that have permethrin do kill ticks. But they should be sprayed only on clothing, not on your skin. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the tick. Grab the tick firmly by its mouth or head as close to your skin as possible.
Pull up slowly and steadily without twisting until it lets go. Don't squeeze the tick, and don't use petroleum jelly, solvents, knives, or a lit match to kill the tick. Save the tick. Place it in a plastic container or bag so it can be tested for disease, if needed. Call your healthcare provider to find out about follow-up care and testing of the tick for the Lyme disease bacteria. Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them.
Lyme disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease Most people with early symptoms of Lyme disease develop a circular red skin rash around a tick bite. Not everyone with Lyme disease gets the rash. The rash can look like a bull's-eye on a dartboard.
The skin will be red and the edges may feel slightly raised. Some people also have flu-like symptoms in the early stages, such as: a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery headaches muscle and joint pain tiredness and loss of energy Most tick bites are harmless Only a small number of ticks are infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
Remove ticks as soon as possible Be aware of ticks and remove them as soon as possible. How to remove ticks Tick bites aren't always painful. To remove a tick: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you've removed it.
Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water. How to remove a tick. Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP if:. Diagnosing Lyme disease Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose. You may need to be re-tested if you still have Lyme disease symptoms after a negative result.
Some people with severe symptoms will be referred to hospital for injections of antibiotics.
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