About Lyme
Lyme disease is a bacterial illness caused by the spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Certain blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis on the east coast and Ixodes pacificus in the west) carry the bacteria in their stomach and transfer it to humans after biting their skin. Typically, the tick has to stay attached for 24-48 hours to transmit the bacteria.
The tick is the only known transmitter of Lyme disease, so acquisition is about the only thing every Lyme disease patient has in common. The size of the tick ranges from a sesame seed to a poppy seed, so its not always found. Additionally, the iconic bullseye rash only appears on about 70-80% of patients. Even when the rash does appear, its not always visible as the ticks often attach at the scalp or groin. Additionally, the tests are not completely reliable and often produce false negatives.
Those who find the tick or notice the rash are able to see a doctor right away and get the necessary antibiotics. They might experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, body aches and headaches. Catching it early greatly decreases the chance of future complications.
The tick is the only known transmitter of Lyme disease, so acquisition is about the only thing every Lyme disease patient has in common. The size of the tick ranges from a sesame seed to a poppy seed, so its not always found. Additionally, the iconic bullseye rash only appears on about 70-80% of patients. Even when the rash does appear, its not always visible as the ticks often attach at the scalp or groin. Additionally, the tests are not completely reliable and often produce false negatives.
Those who find the tick or notice the rash are able to see a doctor right away and get the necessary antibiotics. They might experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, body aches and headaches. Catching it early greatly decreases the chance of future complications.
This page was created for Marc Bousquet's English 363 course at Emory University as part of the Domain of One's Own Initiative.