Lyme disease

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Lyme disease was first identified in 1975 after a number of cases occurred in a town called Old Lyme, in Connecticut, USA. However, it is not a new disease and it has been known in Europe under different names since the beginning of the 20th century.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi . The bacteria are normally found in animals like deer or dogs. It is usually passed to humans by tick bites. Late spring and summer are the most likely times for infection.

Lyme disease is found in a wide range of places. This is usually woodland or parkland areas with a mild climate where deer live. This includes parts of Europe, North America, the former USSR, Australia and China.

The tick bite usually looks like a lump with a small scab on the skin surface at the site of the bite. Many infected people have no further symptoms. Some people develop a reddish skin-ring rash called erythema migrans. The rash spreads out from the site of a bite after 3 to 30 days. Other common symptoms include tiredness, headache, joint pains, and flu-like symptoms.

Without treatments these symptoms can last for weeks or even longer. Rarely, there can be serious complication. In some cases, these complications can occur several years later. Complications include arthritis, heart problems, and nervous system problems.

Early detection and treatment of the disease can help to reduce the symptoms and how long they last. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the symptoms, particularly the erythema migrans rash.