| Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be | | | | pass Lyme disease to their fetuses while pregnant. |
| contracted from the black-legged, or deer tick. Deer | | | | This tends to result in a stillbirth. There have also |
| ticks look like small dog ticks. This disease occurs in | | | | been some reports of the disease being passed to |
| both North America and in Europe, although different | | | | humans by biting insects such as flies. Anecdotal |
| species of deer tick are usually responsible for | | | | reports claim that it can be passed sexually, but |
| spreading it. | | | | there is as of now no documented case of Lyme |
| The symptoms of Lyme disease look different in | | | | disease being transmitted this way. |
| every person. However, they can commonly include a | | | | Deforestation is one reason for the increase of Lyme |
| bulls-eye shaped rash spreading out from the site of | | | | disease infections in humans. Suburban expansion has |
| the bite, and flu-like symptoms. Later cases of Lyme | | | | brought more contact between humans and areas |
| disease may also display musculoskeletal, neurological, | | | | which harbor many ticks, and has removed a number |
| cardiac, arthritic, and mental symptoms. It is possible | | | | of the more common predators of harbors for those |
| for people who develop late stage Lyme disease to | | | | ticks (deer, chipmunks, etc). This means that the |
| develop disabilities, and the further along the disease | | | | population of animals which can support Lyme |
| is allowed to progress, the harder it is to treat. | | | | carrying ticks is higher than ever, and humans are at |
| However, in the early stages, Lyme disease can | | | | increased risk. |
| usually be defeated with antibiotics. Some symptoms | | | | Lyme disease is the most common disease in North |
| may continue after treatment, possible as a form of | | | | America that is spread by ticks. It is one of the |
| auto-immune response, since the disease has been | | | | fastest growing infectious conditions. Prevention of |
| eliminated. | | | | infection can be done by avoiding areas where ticks |
| Lyme disease was first recorded in the late 1880s in | | | | are found. Wear clothing that covers the entire body |
| Germany, and formally documented in 1909. Penicillin | | | | when entering such an area, and check the body |
| came into use as a treatment for the disease in the | | | | carefully for ticks afterward. If you suspect that you |
| late 1940s. Lyme disease's popular name comes from | | | | may have Lyme disease, see a doctor immediately |
| Lyme and Old Lyme, towns in Connecticut where it | | | | for treatment. |
| was observed in 1975. In rare cases, mothers can | | | | |