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Lyme Disease
Lyme disease (LD) is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi,
a type of bacterium called a spirochete (pronounced spy-ro-keet) that is carried by deer ticks. Lyme disease manifests as
a multisystem inflammatory disease that affects the skin in its early, localized stage, and spreads to the joints, nervous
system and, to a lesser extent, other organ systems in its later stages.
Signs and Symptoms:
The first symptom is usually an expanding rash (called erythema
migrans, or EM) which is thought to occur in 80% to 90% of all LD cases. An EM rash generally has the following characteristics:
- Usually (but not always) radiates from the site of the tickbite
- Appears either as a solid red expanding rash or blotch, OR a central
spot surrounded by clear skin that is in turn ringed by an expanding red rash (looks like a bull's-eye)
Appears an average
of 1 to 2 weeks (range = 3 to 30 days) after disease transmission
- Has an average diameter of 5 to 6 inches
- Persists for about 3 to 5 weeks
- May or may not be warm to the touch
- Is usually not painful or itchy
Links of Interest:
Recommended Reading:
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