Testing of individual ticks is not typically useful. Blood tests are often negative in the early stages of the disease. Diagnosis is based on a combination of symptoms, history of tick exposure and possibly testing for specific antibodies in the blood. The disease does not appear to be transmissible between people, by other animals nor through food. spielmanii and four other species also cause the disease. In Europe and Asia Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, B. In North America the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, B. In Europe Ixodes ricinus ticks may spread the bacteria more quickly. In the United States ticks of concern are usually of the Ixodes scapularis type and must be attached for at least 36 hours before the bacteria can spread. Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected ticks of the genus Ixodes. Despite appropriate treatment about 10 to 20% of those affected develop joint pains, memory problems and tiredness for at least six months. Occasionally shooting pains or tingling in the arms and legs may develop.
![normal tick bite pictures normal tick bite pictures](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/df/45/60/df456050f6b85aa0cc98698dc5fcc774.jpg)
Months to years later repeated episodes of joint pain and swelling may occur. If untreated, symptoms may include loss of the ability to move one or both sides of the face, joint pains, severe headaches with neck stiffness or heart palpitations. Other early symptoms may include fever, headaches and tiredness. Approximately 70–80% of infected people develop a rash. The rash is typically neither itchy nor painful.
![normal tick bite pictures normal tick bite pictures](https://i.cbc.ca/1.4123241.1495199551!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg)
The most common sign of infection is an expanding red rash, known as erythema migrans, which appears at the site of the tick bite about a week afterwards. Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a vector-borne disease caused by the Borrelia bacterium, which is spread by ticks in the genus Ixodes. Prevention of tick bites (clothing the limbs, DEET), doxycycline ĭoxycycline, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime īased on symptoms, tick exposure, blood tests An adult deer tick (most cases of Lyme are caused by nymphal rather than adult ticks)Įxpanding area of redness at the site of a tick bite, fever, headache, tiredness įacial nerve paralysis, arthritis, meningitis, Heart rhythm irregularities, Cognitive defects, such as impaired memory.