What is Lyme Disease?

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Lyme Disease

The number of Lyme disease cases reported each year has steadily increased since 1991. In 2006, nearly 20,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lyme disease starts with a rash and if not treated, can hurt the nervous system. This guide helps you learn its causes and symptoms. Read how Lyme disease is treated, get the latest research and learn where to find support.

What is Lyme Disease?

Some types of ticks, such as the deer and black-legged variety, carry a spirochete that can be transferred to humans through the tick bite. The first symptom of the spirochete’s infection is typically a red rash that forms a bull’s eye pattern around the bite, or red spots, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Use this section of the guide to learn what Lyme disease is and how it’s transmitted in humans and animals.

Dulcinea's Insight

  • A number of Lyme disease sites recommend the book “Cure Unknown” by Pamela Weintraub, about her family’s ordeal in being diagnosed and treated for Lyme. The blog A Lyme Disease Journal called it “comprehensive, balanced, and informative.”

Dulcinea's Picks

For an overview …
MedlinePlus has an interactive tutorial on Lyme disease that explains what the disease is, its symptoms and how it’s diagnosed. The presentation is also available in a PDF. Also look for a brief overview of chronic Lyme disease, which “occurs months to years after the initial infection with Lyme disease,” according to the site.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a brief overview of Lyme disease, with links to more in-depth information on cause and treatment.
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For kids …
KidsHealth has a Lyme disease overview for children that describes the cause, symptoms, where to find ticks and how to prevent the disease.
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For animals …
The Rhode Island Department of Health has a brief overview of Lyme disease in dogs, cats, cattle and horses. This page includes symptoms, treatment and tips to preventing Lyme disease in animals.
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Lyme Disease Symptoms and Treatment

Catching Lyme disease early is important for successfully treating it. Depending on the source, ... read more »

Lyme Disease Support

On the Web, some people are chronicling their struggle with Lyme disease on blogs. Use this section ... read more »

News and Research on Lyme Disease

Visit the sites below for news on Lyme disease and Lyme disease research studies. read more »

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