Lyme disease is an infection that is transmitted through the bite of a tick infected with a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Ticks typically get the bacterium by biting infected animals, like deer and mice. The chance of contracting the disease increases the longer the tick is attached to the body.

How would you describe Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection you get from the bite of an infected tick. At first, Lyme disease usually causes symptoms such as a rash, fever, headache, and fatigue. But if it is not treated early, the infection can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system.

What is the truth about Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease, which means that the bacteria causing the disease is transmitted through a vector. In this case, the vector is an infected deer tick or black-legged tick. The symptoms of the disease start showing anytime between three to thirty days after you have been bitten.

What is Lyme disease for Dummies?

What Is Lyme Disease? Lyme disease is an infection caused by a tick bite. The infection can lead to problems with the skin, heart, brain, and joints. Treatment with antibiotics usually cures Lyme disease, especially when started early.

What is so bad about Lyme disease?

Up to 20 percent of Lyme disease cases can cause lasting symptoms, including arthritis in the joints, cognitive difficulties, chronic fatigue, and sleep disturbances, even after antibiotic treatment, according to the CDC . This condition is known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).