Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial organism that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Nymphal and adult deer ticks can be carriers of Lyme disease. Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed.

Most people bitten by an infected tick develop a characteristic skin rash around the area of the bite. The rash may feel hot to the touch, and vary in size, shape, and color, but it will often have a “bull’s eye” appearance (a red ring with a clear center). There are some people who will not develop the rash, which makes Lyme disease hard to diagnose because its symptoms and signs mimic those of many other diseases.

Seven to 10 days following an infected tick’s bite, the first stage of Lyme disease begins with flu like symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.

Neurological Complications Of Lyme Disease

Neurological complications most often occur in the second stage of Lyme disease, with numbness, pain, weakness, Bell’s palsy (paralysis of the facial muscles), visual disturbances, and meningitis symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, and severe headache. Other problems, which may not appear until weeks, months, or years after a tick bite, include decreased concentration, irritability, memory and sleep disorders, and nerve damage in the arms and legs.

Treatment for Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics under the supervision of a physician.

A Lyme disease vaccine is no longer available. The vaccine manufacturer discontinued production in 2002, citing insufficient consumer demand. Protection provided by this vaccine diminishes over time. If you received the Lyme disease vaccine before 2002, you are probably no longer protected against Lyme disease.

Prognosis of Lyme Disease

Most people with Lyme disease respond well to antibiotics and have full recovery. In a few people, symptoms of persisting infection may continue or recur, requiring additional antibiotic treatment. Varying degrees of permanent joint or nervous system damage may develop in people with late chronic (lasting a long time) Lyme disease. In rare cases, some people may die from Lyme disease and its complications.

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the U.S.

Lyme disease was the 6th most common nationally notifiable disease in 2008.

In 2009, 95% of Lyme disease cases were reported from 12 states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• New York
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Wisconsin
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• Delaware
• Maine
• Virginia

Preventing Tick Bites

Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tickborne infections. There are several steps you and your family can take to prevent and control Lyme disease. While it is a good idea to take preventive measures against ticks year-round, be extra vigilant in warmer months – April through September – when ticks are most active.

Avoid Direct Contact with Ticks

• Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
• Walk in the center of trails.

Repel Ticks with DEET or Permethrin

• Use repellents that contain 20% or more DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on the exposed skin for protection that lasts up to several hours. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding hands, eyes, and mouth.
• Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and remains protective for up to 70 washings.
• Other repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may be found at cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect.

Find and Remove Ticks from Your Body

• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.
• Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon return from tick-infested areas. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair.
• Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and day packs. Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for an hour to kill remaining ticks.

If you ever find a tick attached to your skin, don’t panic, read Safe Way to Remove a Tick.

Organizations

Lyme Disease Foundation
P.O. Box 332
Tolland, CT 06084-0332
info@lyme.org

http://www.lyme.org

Tel: 860-870-0070 800-886-LYME (5963)
Fax: 860-870-0080

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612

http://www.niaid.nih.gov

Tel: 301-496-5717

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
31 Center Dr., Rm. 4C02 MSC 2350
Bethesda, MD 20892-2350
NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

http://www.niams.nih.gov

Tel: 301-496-8190 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30333
inquiry@cdc.gov

http://www.cdc.gov

Tel: 800-311-3435 404-639-3311/404-639-3543

Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30309
help@arthritis.org

http://www.arthritis.org

Tel: 800-568-4045 404-872-7100 404-965-7888
Fax: 404-872-0457

Source: www.ninds.nih.gov – February 2007