Lyme Disease Background

Ticks carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases such as ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. Reducing ticks on your property decreases your chance of getting Lyme disease. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.

The disease was first identified in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. It occurs primarily in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north central states. Most cases occur in the late spring and early summer when the nymphal stage of the tick is active. 

Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, a corkscrew-shaped bacterium, and is transmitted to humans and pets by the bite of an infected deer tick (Ixodes scapularis).

Symptoms of Lyme disease

Credit: Todar, Kenneth (2002);  University of Wisconsin, Department of Bacteriology

Most people develop a red rash, called erythema migrans (EM), within 3-21 days of a tick bite. The painless rash expands gradually, often reaching six or more inches in diameter, and disappears without treatment. The presence of an EM rash larger than two inches in diameter usually confirms a diagnosis of Lyme disease. Other common symptoms are flu-like, including:

	fatigue, muscle and joint pain
	fever (usually low grade)
	headache
	chills
	stiff neck

More about Babesiosis

More about Ehrlichiosis

Next:  Learn about Ticks, Mice and Deer and the roles they play.  Click on the tick when ready