Tell me about Lyme disease in humans and how do you get it?
If you find yourself spending a lot of time outdoors and in grassy fields, you may be exposed to ticks. You may also be exposed to ticks if you have pets that spend time outdoors. However, only a minority of the ticks are able to spread the disease.
Lyme disease, being an infection that is caused by the bacteria transmitted to you by the bite of a female or baby blacklegged tick, which is also known as a Deer tick in America. It is one of the many tick-borne illnesses which afflict humans and animals and is usually endemic to North America and Eurasia.
A tick is a small parasite that sucks the blood of humans and other animals. They can be found worldwide and even in your own garden. The bacteria that cause Lyme disease are the shape of cork screws and are classified as Borrelia burgdorfei.
The tick needs to be latched onto the skin for 24 to 48 hours in order for you to be infected. Most people who are diagnosed with Lyme Disease have no recollection of a tick bite.
The information in the navigation menu above takes a look into what Lyme disease is, its causes, symptoms, treatment and more. This information is purely intended as a guideline and not a means of treatment. Please consult with your doctor for professional medical care if you think you may be at risk of Lyme disease.
Other Articles of Interest
Arthritis
Did you know? There are more than 100 different variations of arthritis and associated conditions. We take a look at the more common signs and types of arthritis here...
Zika Virus
The mosquito-borne Zika virus became well known across the world in 2015 when mainstream media reported on its ties with microcephaly (a potentially fatal congenital defect) in newborns. Learn more...
Malaria
One of the world's deadliest diseases if not sufficiently treated, malaria quickly affects a person's bloodstream and liver. Here's everything you need to know...