Lyme Disease Research Paper

Words: 637
Pages: 3

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. The blacklegged tick, commonly known as the deer tick, spreads the disease in regions near the mid-Atlantic United States while the western blacklegged tick spreads the disease on the Pacific Coast. Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard to see areas. I can attest to this statement because when I was younger I had a tick on the back of my ear that was covered by my hair. The tick must be attached for at least thirty-six to forty-eight hours before the Lyme disease bacterium can be spread. Immature ticks are called nymphs. Most people are infected through the bites …show more content…
Nymphs feed during the spring and summer months while the adult ticks are most active during the cooler months of the year. There are several signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. In the early stage, which is three to thirty days post tick bite, you may notice a red, expanding rash called erythema migrans. Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, muscle aches, chills, fever, and headaches. Some people get these symptoms in addition to the erythema rash but in other cases these symptoms may be the only indication of infection. Some people get redness at the site of a tick bite or a small bump that goes away in a day or two, similar to a mosquito bite. This is not a sign that you have Lyme disease but ticks can spread other organisms that may cause a different type of rash that you should be aware of. You should definitely seek medical attention if you had a tick but, live in an area known for Lyme disease or have recently traveled to an area where it occurs, and if you notice any of these symptoms. Patients who are treated with the appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually make a full and rapid