Lyme Disease And Its Causes

Author: credulous

Lyme disease also called Lyme borreliosis, is an infection that derives from a tick bite. It is caused by a kind of bacteria (germ) called a spirochete. This bacterium is usually found in animals such as mice and deer. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful in the later stages of disease. Most cases occur in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and along the Pacific coast. Mice and deer are the most commonly infected animals that serve as host to the tick.

Causes of Lyme Disease

1. Bacterium ( Borrelia burgdorferi ).

Symptoms of of Lyme Disease

1.Fever

2.Headache

3.Lethargy

4.Muscle pains

5.Stiff neck

6.Joint inflammation

The common causes and risk factor's of Lyme disease include the following:

Lyme disease is caused by an infection from a micro-organism (Borrelia burghdor feri), itself transmitted by a bite from the wood tick, a blood-sucking parasite which normally lives on deer.

Risk factors for Lyme disease include walking in high grasses, other activities that increase tick exposure, and having a pet that may carry ticks home.

Having exposed skin.

People who spend time in grassy and wooded environments are at an increased risk of exposure.

Not removing ticks promptly or properly.

The disease can be spread when an infected tick bites a person and stays attached for a period of time.

The disease is actually a bacteria spread from the bites of infected ticks. It is easy to see why anyone spending time outdoors may get infected. Originally, the disease was thought to be delegated to the Northeastern part of the country. The first case were diagnosed near the small town of Lyme, Connecticut. The name of the town stuck with the disease and is known today as Lyme disease.

As with most diseases, it has been found that Lyme disease can be contracted anywhere. Cases have been diagnosed in most, if not every, state in the USA and several parts of Canada. If there are ticks, there will be Lyme disease.

Lyme disease mostly happens in rural and suburban regions. Lyme disease is found in United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.

The symptoms of Lyme disease include: Fever Headache Fatigue Chills Stiff neck Muscle aches Joint pain Skin rash named erythema migrans, which appears from week to month after a tick bite. This rash usually starts at the site of the tick bite. Originally it is a small red spot that grow larger. The center fade, which looks like a "bull's eye" or ring. Some people have just many red spots instead. The rash burns and itches often. However some people do not feel it.

Often the victim develops a fever, and fatigue. Headache, muscle and joint aches are other symptoms. Left untreated Lyme Disease can cause meningitis, tremor, pain and even hallucinations and memory loss. Symptoms usually appear in 1-2 weeks, but can be as long as one month. However, it is possible for an infected person to display no symptoms, or display only one or two symptoms, which can make a diagnosis very difficult.

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