Lyme disease represents an illness evoked in the result of a spirochete bacteria activity, or Borrelia burgdorferi. Therefore it is also called Lyme borreliosis. This bacterium is transmitted by infected ticks through their bites and can affect men and animals. It is known all over the world and can cause serious complications if neglected.

The reason of the condition is a tick that transmits the infection. The types of ticks differ from region to region and therefore they have different names. Still, be it the ‘deer tick’, the ‘black-legged tick’, the ‘western black-legged tick’,  the ‘lone star tick’, and even the ‘dog tick’ – all of them are able to cause Lyme disease. Biting insects are also capable of transmitting the illness but to a rarest extent.

The condition has the following symptoms: a raised rash, “bull’s-eye” rash, or a ring of inflamed skin around the initial bite. Further on it is followed by a fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pains; and if neglected the condition can lead to meningitis, tremors, pains, hallucinations and memory loss. The symptoms usually show up during a fortnight but in some cases can take a month; and in other cases can be unnoticeable which complicates the diagnosis.

The illness is mostly treated with antibiotics during the period of 3-4 weeks. The therapy course requires to be completed in order the drug can produce the full effect. In some severe cases the combination of drugs is used and the treatment is prolonged in time. The most common medications for the condition are oral doxycycline, amoxicillin or cephalosporin; or injections of benzylpenicillin, cefotaxime or ceftriaxone are used either.

In terms of prevention there isn’t much you can do except than watch out. Be very careful going out into the forest or into the wild in general and abstain from tick infested areas. Make sure your clothes protect you; try walking trails when hiking and check your kids and pets for ticks after every outing.