Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium, Borrelia Burgdorferi, and contracted from the bite of a black-legged tick. These ticks feed off of white tailed deer in wooded areas. Most cases of lyme disease occur in the northeast, some parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, the mid-Atlantic states, and along the Pacific coast. Lyme disease is usually seen during the late spring, summer, and early fall.

In many cases the disease presents as a "bulls-eye" shaped rash at the site of the bite. Early symptoms of lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, and swollen glands. If left untreated, it may become chronic and lead to brain, joint, lung, or heart abnormalities.

There is no vaccine available for the prevention of lyme disease. When caught early, the disease can be effectively treated with oral antibiotics. On rare occasions symptoms will persist despite treatment. Known as post-lyme disease syndrome, these symptoms can interfere with daily life.