About Lyme Disease | Lyme Disease

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<div class="dfe-section dfe-section--page-summary summary-list" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_page_summary"> <div class="dfe-section__header"> <h2>Key points</h2> </div> <div class="dfe-section__content"> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to people through the bite of blacklegged ticks.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1"><em></em>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.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions of the United States.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <div class="dfe-section__nav hide" id="dfe-section__nav"> <div class="dfe-section__nav__header" id="dfe-section__nav__header"> </div> <div class="dfe-section__nav-links" id="dfe-section__nav-links"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dfe-section__image" id="page-summary-image"> <figure class="dfe-image dfe-image__large"><div class="image-container calculated-ratio-16-9 aspect-ratio-16-9"><img src="/ticks/media/images/ixodesscapularis_16-9.jpg" alt="Ixodes scapularis tick on a blade of grass." title="Ixodes Scapularis 16x9"></div></figure> </div> <div id="nav-buttons"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__center "> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_overview"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_disease_basics_overview-overview" name="Overview" title="Overview"></a><h2>Overview</h2> <p>In the United States, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> and rarely, <em>Borrelia mayonii</em>. It occurs most commonly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions. Lyme disease bacteria are <a href="/lyme/causes/index.html" class="">spread</a> to humans through the bite of infected <em></em>blacklegged ticks. Typical <a href="/lyme/signs-symptoms/index.html" class="">symptoms</a> include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called<a href="/lyme/signs-symptoms/lyme-disease-rashes.html"> erythema migrans</a>. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is <a href="/lyme/hcp/diagnosis-testing/index.html">diagnosed</a> based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with FDA-cleared tests. Most cases of Lyme disease can be<a href="/lyme/hcp/clinical-care/index.html"> </a><a href="/lyme/hcp/clinical-care/index.html" class="">treated</a> successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.</p> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_symptoms"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_disease_basics_symptoms-signs-and-symptoms" name="Signs%20and%20symptoms" title="Signs and symptoms"></a><h2>Signs and symptoms</h2> <p>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.</p> <div class="dfe-block dfe-block--keep_reading"><b>Keep Reading:</b> <a href="/lyme/signs-symptoms/index.html">Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease</a></div> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_causes_risk_spread"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_disease_basics_causes_risk_spread-how-it-spreads" name="How%20it%20spreads" title="How it spreads"></a><h2>How it spreads</h2> <p>Lyme disease bacteria causing human infection in the United States are spread to people by blacklegged (<em>Ixodes</em>) ticks.</p> <div class="dfe-block dfe-block--keep_reading"><b>Keep Reading:</b> <a href="/lyme/causes/index.html">How Lyme Disease Spreads</a></div> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_prevention"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_disease_basics_prevention-prevention" name="Prevention" title="Prevention"></a><h2>Prevention</h2> <h3>Prevent tick bites</h3> <p>The best defense against Lyme disease is to <a href="/ticks/prevention/index.html" class="">prevent tick bites</a>. This will reduce your risk of <a href="/ticks/about/index.html" class="">other tickborne diseases</a> as well.</p> <h3>What to do after a tick bite</h3> <p><a href="/ticks/after-a-tick-bite/index.html" class="">Remove attached ticks as soon as possible</a>. 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.</p> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_testing_screening"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_disease_basics_testing_screening-testing-and-diagnosis" name="Testing%20and%20diagnosis" title="Testing and diagnosis"></a><h2>Testing and diagnosis</h2> <p>CDC recommends the use of FDA-cleared antibody tests for laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease. </p> <div class="dfe-block dfe-block--keep_reading"><b>Keep Reading:</b> <a href="/lyme/diagnosis-testing/index.html">Testing and Diagnosis for Lyme disease</a></div> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_what_cdc_is_doing"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_disease_basics_what_cdc_is_doing-what-cdc-is-doing" name="What%20CDC%20is%20doing" title="What CDC is doing"></a><h2>What CDC is doing</h2> <p>CDC has a program of service, research, and education focusing on the prevention and control of Lyme disease. Activities of this program include:</p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Maintaining and analyzing national surveillance data for Lyme disease<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Conducting epidemiologic investigations<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Offering diagnostic and reference laboratory services<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Developing and testing strategies for the control and prevention of this disease<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Supporting education of the public and healthcare providers<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__right page-right-rail"> <aside class="page-right-rail__static noindex" role="complementary"> <div class="on-this-page " data-sid=""> <h2 class="on-this-page__heading"> On This Page </h2> <div class="card-body"> <ul> <li><a href="#cdc_disease_basics_overview-overview">Overview</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_disease_basics_symptoms-signs-and-symptoms">Signs and symptoms</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_disease_basics_causes_risk_spread-how-it-spreads">How it spreads</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_disease_basics_prevention-prevention">Prevention</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_disease_basics_testing_screening-testing-and-diagnosis">Testing and diagnosis</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_disease_basics_what_cdc_is_doing-what-cdc-is-doing">What CDC is doing</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </aside> <aside class="page-right-rail__dynamic noindex" role="complementary"> <div data-related-nav></div> </aside> </div> </div> <div data-journey-next></div> <section class="container page-mobile-bar"> <time class="page-mobile-bar__item page-mobile-bar__item--date" datetime="2024-08-26 00:00:00"> August 26, 2024 </time> </section> <div class="page-content-sources noindex"> <div class="page-content-sources__header"> <a data-action="summary" class="collapsed" href="#content-sources" role="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="content-sources" data-cs-toggle="">Sources</a> <a 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