What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection you get from the bite of an infected Deer Tick. Lyme disease may cause symptoms affecting the skin, nervous system, heart and/or joints of an individual. Your doctor can diagnose Lyme disease based on:

  • History of possible exposure to infected ticks
  • Lab tests (in some cases)
  • Symptoms

Your history of possible exposure to infected ticks depends on:

  • What your outdoor activities have been
  • Where you have traveled
  • Where you live

There are other diseases that cause illness similar to Lyme disease. Someone with Lyme disease may not have the characteristic bull's-eye rash or remember being bitten by a tick. Lab testing is not recommended for people who don't have symptoms of Lyme disease.

Show All Answers

1. What is Lyme disease?
2. What is the best way to remove a tick?
3. I just pulled a tick off of myself, what do I do?
4. How do people get Lyme disease?
5. What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease?
6. How is Lyme disease diagnosed?
7. How good is testing for Lyme disease?
8. How is Lyme disease treated?
9. When will a Lyme disease vaccine become available?
10. How is Lyme disease transmitted?
11. When do most people get Lyme disease?
12. Where will I find ticks?
13. What can I do to protect myself from getting Lyme disease?
14. I found a tick on me, now what do I do?
15. When do symptoms appear?