04/10/26 Public Health Education Topic: Lyme Disease

Health Department
3 days ago
1 min read

Per CDC:

Key points

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to people through the bite of blacklegged ticks.
Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions of the United States.

Signs and symptoms

Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, and arthritis.

Prevention

Prevent tick bites

The best defense against Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. This will reduce your risk of other tickborne diseases as well.

What to do after a tick bite

Remove attached ticks as soon as possible. Depending on the type of tick and how long it was attached, antibiotic prophylaxis might help to prevent Lyme disease. Call your doctor if you develop fever, rash, or other symptoms.

To learn more visit: About Lyme Disease | Lyme Disease | CDC