How much do you know about Lyme disease? It can affect anyone, so awareness is critical for prevention and treatment.
Lyme disease is an infection that people can contract from the bite of a black legged (deer) tick that carries a particular spiral-shaped bacteria. It is classified as a multi-system disease, affecting any organ in the body, including the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, and the heart. Usually, it infects the skin in the early stages and spreads to other areas.
A common symptom of Lyme disease is a rash that is shaped like a ‘bulls-eye’. It is usually not itchy and can appear on other parts of the body besides the bitten area. Other symptoms, according to the Lyme Disease Association (LDA), include:
- Flu-like illness
- Fever
- History of Tick Bite (Not all patients recall a bite)
- Headache
- Extreme Fatigue
- EM Rash, Other Rashes (Only found in 50% of patients)
- Malar Flush, Red Ear Lobes
- TMJ/ Jaw Pain (Temporomandibular Join)
- Neck & Back Pain
- Joint Pain & Swelling, Bone Pain
Lyme disease is found all around the U.S, but particularly in the east, midwest, and west coast. You are more likely to contract the disease in dense wooded or grassy areas. If you think you may be suffering from Lyme disease, visit your doctor, who can run tests to determine if you have the illness. The LDA states that if treated early with antibiotics, the disease is usually cured quickly. If left untreated however, complications such as chronic joint inflammation, facial palsy, and impaired memory could arise.
Lyme Disease Association, Inc
Lyme Disease.org
American Lyme Disease Foundation