Maybe you have heard about the Lyme disease. Is usually associated with wooded areas and meadows where deer live. Lyme disease is more common in the northeastern U.S. and northwestern U.S. washed by Pacific as well as in more northern states of the upper Midwest U.S.



What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is usually found in animals like mice and deer. It can infect humans through the bite of Ixodes ticks (known as black-legged ticks or deer). These ticks are infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi by biting infected animals transmitted the infection to humans.

How disgusting, right? Perhaps. But you can be sure you will not witness the process. Ticks are very hard to see. Immature ticks, or nymphs, are about the size of a poppy seed. Adult specimens are about the size of a sesame seed. Since ticks are not easy to see, it helps to know what the Lyme disease symptoms are. It's easy for a tick bite to go unnoticed. Many people who contract Lyme disease do not recall that any tick has bitten them. However, the good news is that not all tick bites lead to Lyme disease.

What are the Lyme disease symptoms and signs? Lyme disease can affect different systems as the nervous system, joints, skin and heart. The symptoms of this disease are generally described in three phases, although not everyone goes through them all: the first step is a rash or infection is a circular rash. The rash appears during the first week or two immediately after infection but may develop up to 30 days after the bite. The rash usually disappears after about a month.

Along with the rash, patients may have flu-like symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and headache and muscle discomfort. Lyme disease can affect the heart, causing an irregular heartbeat or chest pain.

If the first two phases of Lyme disease are not detected and / or not treated properly, the third phase may occur. The symptoms of late stage Lyme disease can occur anywhere from several weeks to several years after infective bite. They can include arthritis (inflammation of the joints), especially in knees and memory lapses (this last symptom occurs mostly in adults and is very rare in children and teenagers).

Having such a wide range of symptoms, Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose. Fortunately, there is a blood test to detect antibodies against the disease.

When should you call the doctor? If you think there's any chance you've contracted the Lyme disease or a tick has bitten you, contact your doctor. Although there are other conditions that can cause symptoms that we have seen, is always a good idea to comment your symptoms with your doctor. This is especially important if you develop a red rash in a ring, long-lasting flu-like symptoms, joint pain or swelling, or facial paralysis.

Can it be prevented? - There is no foolproof way to avoid contracting Lyme disease. But there are many ways to minimize the risk. Beware of ticks when you are in an area abounding of vegetation. If you exercise outdoors or you enjoy gardening, fishing, hunting or camping, take precautions.