Lyme Disease

Lyme DiseaseFact or Fiction

What organism causes it?

• Caused by a bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi• Named after Dr. Willy Burgdorfer, who

discovered the agent of Lyme disease in 1982

How is it transmitted?• Infection is transmitted by the bite of

infected ticks (blacklegged or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis)

• Ticks pick up the bacteria when they bite infected mice or deer

• Ticks spread the disease to other animals, including humans

How is it transmitted?• Passed to humans when an infected tick

bites a person & stays attached long enough to take a blood meal (usually at least 24-36 hours)

Where & when was it first discovered?

• Named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where the illness was first identified in the U.S. in 1975

• Research started after a mysterious group of rheumatoid arthritis cases occurred among children

Is it common in PA?

• Cases have been reported in nearly every state

• Concentrated in east coastal states, north central states, & northern California

• Lyme disease cases have grown 78% in the past decade– Increase in whitetail deer population– More people moving to rural areas– Changes in collection of information

What are some signs & symptoms?

• Early symptoms within a week, other symptoms can appear weeks, months or years later

• Tiredness, chills, fever, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, swollen lymph glands, skin rash (red circular patch)

How can it be treated?

• Blood screenings can be used to diagnose• Antibiotics

– Patients treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually recover rapidly and completely.

• Vaccine discontinued in 2002

What can happen if it’s left untreated?

• Arthritis• Nervous system problems (numbness,

meningitis, Bell’s palsy)• Irregularities of the heart rhythm

What can you do to prevent getting it?

• Avoid exposure to infected ticks• Wear long sleeves and pants tucked

in socks• Light-colored clothing• Use insecticides• Check yourself & your pets for ticks

after outdoor activities