What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease was named after the Connecticut town of Lyme, where it was initially reported.

Lyme disease is believed to be caused by the spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by tick bites, including those by the deer tick Ixodes dammini.

Lyme disease symptoms may mimic symptoms of other diseases, including pain, diarrhea, nausea, swollen glands, difficulty swallowing, and coughing.

A rash typically appears several days after infection of the bite; the tell-tale sign of Lyme disease is a bull's-eye rash,a circular ring with a central clearing. As Lyme disease advances, it may produce a painful joint condition called Lyme arthritis.

Prevention includes wearing multiple layers of clothing, performing tick checks after walking in woods and other areas infested with ticks.

Vaccines are available, but they are not one hundred percent completely effective. Antibiotics have been known cure the illness.