When it comes to Lyme disease, many people may not be aware of its complexities and the wide range of impacts it can have on the human body. Spread primarily by ticks, Lyme disease is a severe condition that can affect multiple organ systems and result in long-term complications if not treated properly. This multi-faceted illness, named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where the first cases were identified, continues to perplex scientists with its elusive nature and range of symptoms.
In this article, we delve into 25 facts about Lyme disease, its prevalence, how it is spread, its signs and symptoms, and its treatments. Whether you are interested in learning more about the disease or have been personally affected by it, this comprehensive guide will give you all the information you need to know.
- Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks.
- The disease is most common in the northeastern and upper mid-western United States, but cases have been reported in nearly every state and even in several other countries.
- Ticks must be attached for 36-48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted.
- It’s a common misconception that all ticks can carry Lyme disease. In the United States, only the black-legged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) and the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) are known carriers.
- Lyme disease does not only affect humans. Dogs, horses, and other animals can also contract the disease.
- Early symptoms of Lyme disease may include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.
- If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system, leading to more serious complications.
- Lyme disease can typically be treated effectively with a few weeks of antibiotics.
- Lyme disease is often mistaken for other conditions because its symptoms mimic those of many other illnesses, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.
- The erythema migrans rash that often appears in the early stages of Lyme disease occurs in approximately 70-80% of infected individuals.
READ MORE: The Paradox of Hydration: Can You Die From Drinking Too Much Water? - The rash may expand over a period of days to weeks and may reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) across.
- Blood tests to diagnose Lyme disease measure antibodies and are most accurate a few weeks after infection.
- There is currently no vaccine for Lyme disease available to the public. Previous vaccines were discontinued due to various factors, including low demand.
- Preventing tick bites is the most effective way to avoid contracting Lyme disease. This includes wearing long sleeves and pants in wooded areas, using insect repellent, and checking for ticks after being in a high-risk area.
- Contrary to popular belief, ticks don’t die in the winter and can remain active in temperatures just above freezing.
- Approximately 10-20% of patients treated for Lyme disease with a recommended 2–4 week course of antibiotics will have lingering symptoms of fatigue, pain, or joint and muscle aches.
- The exact cause of these persistent symptoms, known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), is not yet fully understood.
- In most cases, PTLDS is treated with a form of care called symptomatic therapy, meaning that the symptoms themselves are treated, rather than the cause of the disease.
- Lyme disease is not directly contagious from person to person. It is a vector-borne disease, meaning it needs a carrier, like a tick, to spread.
- The common name for Lyme disease originates from the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, Connecticut, where a number of cases were identified in 1975.
READ MORE: 25 Facts About the Gianotti–Crosti Syndrome: All You Need to Know - Pregnant women infected with Lyme disease could potentially pass the infection to the fetus. However, adverse effects can usually be prevented with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
- The highest risk of getting Lyme disease is during the months of May, June, and July. This is when the nymphal stage of the tick, which is the most likely to transmit the disease, is most active.
- Lyme disease can, in rare cases, lead to complications that are severe enough to cause death.
- A bull’s-eye rash (a red rash surrounded by a clear ring with a red center) is one of the most recognizable signs of Lyme disease, but not everyone with Lyme disease gets this rash.
- The CDC estimates that 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the United States every year. However, because diagnosing Lyme can be difficult, many people who actually have Lyme may be misdiagnosed with other conditions.
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Lyme disease is a complex disorder that is often misunderstood. From its varied symptoms and methods of transmission to its wide-ranging impacts on human health, Lyme disease presents a significant public health challenge. By arming ourselves with knowledge about the disease, its symptoms, and prevention methods, we can better protect ourselves and our communities from the potential dangers posed by this tick-borne disease.
