Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Prevention.

What is lyme disease? Can lyme disease kill you? Learn more.

Lyme disease, medically referred to as Lyme borreliosis, is an infectious illness transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blood-feeding ticks from the Ixodes genus. The disease is caused by specific strains of Borrelia bacteria and is recognized as the most prevalent tick-borne illness across the Northern Hemisphere. Cases of infection are most frequently reported during the spring and early summer months, when ticks are most active.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

One of the hallmark early symptoms of Lyme disease is the appearance of a progressively expanding red skin rash, medically known as erythema migrans (EM). This rash typically develops around the site of the tick bite, usually within a week after exposure. Unlike many skin conditions, the rash is generally neither itchy nor painful. Studies show that about 70% to 80% of those infected will experience this visible skin reaction.

In addition to the rash, individuals may also present with non-specific flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and fever during the early stages of infection. If left untreated, the disease can lead to more serious health complications.

These may include facial paralysis (often affecting one or both sides of the face), joint inflammation, intense headaches accompanied by neck stiffness, and sometimes irregular heart rhythms or palpitations.

In some cases, symptoms may persist or reappear months or even years after the initial infection. Long-term effects can include recurring episodes of joint pain and swelling, and occasionally, sharp nerve pain or abnormal sensations like tingling in the limbs.

Diagnosis for Lyme disease

Diagnosing Lyme disease typically involves a comprehensive evaluation that takes into account a combination of factors. Healthcare providers assess the patient’s symptoms, review their medical and environmental history—especially any recent or potential exposure to tick-infested areas—and may conduct laboratory tests to detect the presence of Borrelia-specific antibodies in the bloodstream.

However, because early test results can sometimes be inaccurate, especially shortly after infection, clinical judgment remains a key element in confirming a diagnosis. When an infection is confirmed, Lyme disease can generally be treated effectively with a course of antibiotics.

Commonly prescribed medications include doxycycline, amoxicillin, and cefuroxime, each of which targets the bacteria responsible for the illness. The standard duration of treatment typically ranges from two to three weeks, depending on the stage of the disease and the severity of symptoms.

Although most individuals recover fully with timely treatment, a small subset of patients may continue to experience lingering symptoms such as fatigue, pain, or cognitive difficulties.

This condition is referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). The exact cause of PTLDS is still being researched, and treatment for these ongoing symptoms generally focuses on supportive care rather than further antibiotics.

How to Prevent Lyme disease

Prevention of Lyme disease centers around avoiding tick bites, especially in wooded or grassy areas where ticks are common. Effective preventive strategies include wearing long sleeves and pants to cover the skin, tucking pants into socks, and using insect repellents containing either DEET or picaridin.

Conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities and promptly removing any attached ticks can also significantly reduce the risk of infection. As of 2023, several clinical trials were underway to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new vaccines for human use against Lyme disease.

However, no vaccine was publicly available at that time. A vaccine known as LYMErix was once on the market but was withdrawn in 2002 due to low consumer demand and concerns over side effects.

While human vaccination options are currently limited, multiple vaccines are available for dogs, offering effective protection for pets who are also vulnerable to tick bites and Lyme infection.