What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is an infection caused by a kind of bacterium (germ) called a spirochete. The carrier of the disease are deer ticks, which are located in the northeastern and north central United States of America, and the black-legged ticks west, which are mainly in the region Pacific Coast of the United States. These ticks can spread the disease to animals and humans through biting. These ticks typically are the size of a sesame seed.



Lyme disease is more common in rural and suburban areas in the U.S. Northeast and Midwest. Lyme disease is also found in other parts of the U.S. like Europe, Asia and Australia. What are the symptoms of Lyme disease? Everybody is asking what are the symptoms of Lyme disease. One sign of Lyme disease is a rash that may appear between three and thirty days after a tick bite. This rash usually starts at the site of the tick bite. May begin as a small red spot and grow larger. The center may fade, creating a bull's eye appearance or ring, but this does not always happen. Some people with Lyme disease have many red spots. The rash may burn, hurt or itch.

Other symptoms of Lyme disease in its early stage include fever, chills, headache, stiff neck, fatigue and muscle aches. Rarely, Lyme disease in its early stages can spread to the heart or nervous system. If Lyme disease spreads to the heart, the person may feel their heart beats irregularly or slowly. The spread of Lyme disease to the nervous system can cause the face to droop (a condition known as Bell's palsy) can cause numbness in the arms and legs or swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain, which is known as meningitis.

What about the later stages of Lyme disease? - If Lyme disease is not treated it can spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms of late stage Lyme disease include arthritis (painful, swollen joints) and nervous system problems. Arthritis caused by Lyme disease often affects only one of the large joints, such as the knee. Sometimes it may affect more than one joint. The symptoms of nervous system disorder that causes late-stage Lyme disease may include trouble concentrating, changes in mood or sleeping habits, memory loss and muscular weakness. However, Lyme disease rarely causes such problems with the nervous system.

How is Lyme disease treated? - Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. The initial stage of Lyme disease responds very well to treatment. In most cases, between 14 and 30 days of antibiotics kill bacteria. Your doctor will tell you how many days to take the antibiotic. It is important that you take all the medicine your doctor prescribes to prevent the spread of Lyme disease to your joints, nervous system or heart.

If you have problems do not stop taking medication. Call your doctor and talk to him about these side effects. Late-stage Lyme disease is also treated with antibiotics. Drugs that reduce swelling and pain can relieve arthritis associated with late-stage Lyme disease. If necessary, excess fluid can be drained (removed) from the affected joints.