What is Lyme Disease?

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) transmitted through bites from infected deer ticks. Regular wood and dog ticks don’t carry this disease.

How Does It Spread?

You can get Lyme disease if you're bitten by a black-legged tick. These ticks are tiny and painless, so many people don’t even know they’ve been bitten!

Stages of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease has three stages:

Early localized (weeks 1–4)

Early disseminated (months 1–4)

Late stage (4+ months or years later) Symptoms worsen if left untreated

Early Symptoms to Watch For

Common signs of early Lyme disease include:

Bull's-eye rash (Erythema Migrans)

Fever, fatigue

Stiff neck, swollen glands

Headache, body aches

What Happens If It’s Not Treated? Untreated Lyme disease can lead to:

😵 Brain fog 🦵 Arthritis (swollen joints) ⚡ Nerve damage ❤️ Heart rhythm problems 🧠 Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)

Diagnosis and Testing Doctors diagnose based on:

Fill in some 👩‍⚕️ Symptoms and exposure history 🩸 Blood tests (must test positive twice to confirm) You may not remember the tick bite—it’s tiny and sneaky! text

Title Treatment Options1

Lyme disease is curable with antibiotics like: ✅ Doxycycline ✅ Amoxicillin The sooner you’re treated, the faster you’ll recover!

Tick Bite First Aid If a tick bites you:

✔️ Remove it gently with tweezers ✔️ Clean the bite with soap and water ❌ Don’t squeeze or burn the tick 💡 Save it in a bag if you want it tested

How to Prevent Lyme Disease

Avoid tick bites with these tips: 👖 Wear long sleeves and pants 🧢 Tuck pants into socks 🌿 Walk in center of trails 🐶 Check pets for ticks 🧴 Use insect repellents like DEET or permethrin

Final Thoughts

Lyme disease is serious, but preventable and treatable. 🌲 If you’ve been in wooded or grassy areas and feel sick, see your doctor. 💊 Early treatment = Better recovery Stay safe. Stay informed. ✅