<img height="1" width="1" alt="" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1573404252890905&amp;ev=PixelInitialized">

Lyme disease

Description

An illness caused by borrelia bacteria that usually is spread through the bite of an infected tick.

Overview

Lyme disease is caused when a tick infected with borrelia bacteria feeds on a person and spreads the bacteria into the person's bloodstream. The risk of Lyme disease rises when visiting places where infected ticks might live. These include grassy, brushy or wooded areas.

Symptoms

Lyme disease symptoms vary. Early on, a circle-shaped rash is common, as is joint stiffness, muscle aches and pains and swollen lymph nodes. Later symptoms can include other rashes, neck pain and stiffness, muscle weakness in the face, and arthritis in large joints.

Treatments

The treatment for Lyme disease is antibiotic medicine to clear up the infection. The medicine is taken by mouth or given through a vein. Recovery tends to better when treatment is started early.

Last Updated: October 18th, 2023


© 2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use

2018JMHLogoWhite

Great Care Starts Here

Johnson Memorial Health is a nationally recognized network of physicians and advanced practice providers that provides healthcare to Johnson County and surrounding areas.

FIND A PROVIDER
Page-Mayo