How Did Lyme Disease Become Known?
Lyme disease was first recognized in 1975 after researchers investigated why unusually large numbers of children were being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Lyme, Connecticut, and two neighboring towns.
Further investigations discovered that tiny deer ticks infected with a spiral-shaped bacterium or spirochete (which was later named Borrelia burgdorferi) were responsible for the outbreak of arthritis in Lyme.
In Europe, a skin rash similar to that of Lyme disease had been described in medical literature dating back to the turn of the 20th century.
Lyme disease may have spread from Europe to the U.S. in the early 1900s, but health experts only recently recognized it as a distinct illness.
Ticks Transmit Lyme
Ticks that most often transmit Lyme disease in the U.S. (these ticks look very similar)
Role of Deer & Rodents
Small rodents and deer play an important role in a deer tick’s life cycle.
Both nymphs and adult ticks can transmit Lyme disease causing bacteria.
On-The-Rise
The recent increase of the deer population in the Northeast and of housing developments in areas where deer ticks are commonly found probably contributed to its increased spread.
The number of reported cases of Lyme disease as well as the number of geographic areas in which it is found have increased. Lyme disease has been reported in nearly all states in the United States, although more than 95% of all reported cases are concentrated in:
Lyme disease is also found in large areas of Asia and Europe.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Erythema Migrans
Usually, the first symptom of Lyme disease is a red rash known as erythema migrans (EM).
As infection spreads, rashes can appear at different sites on the body. Erythema migrans is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as:
Although these symptoms may resemble those of common viral infections, Lyme disease symptoms tend to persist or may come and go.
Arthritis
After several months of B. burgdorferi infection, slightly more than half of people not treated with antibiotics develop recurrent attacks of painful and swollen joints that last a few days to a few months.
Neurologic Symptoms
Lyme disease also can affect your nervous system, causing symptoms such as:
More subtle changes also have been associated with Lyme disease such as:
Nervous system problems usually develop weeks, months, or even years following an untreated infection. These symptoms often last for weeks or months and may return.
Heart Problems
Fewer than 10% of people with Lyme disease develop heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat, which can start with dizziness or shortness of breath. These symptoms rarely last more than a few days or weeks. Such heart problems generally show up several weeks after infection.
Other Symptoms
Less commonly, untreated people may develop other problems weeks, months, or even years after infection. Lyme disease can also result in:
