Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the corkscrew shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is found in blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks. They can be found in the United States, most notably in the East coast region, and in over 60 other countries throughout the world. Most people get Lyme disease from the nymphal or immature version of the tick. Ticks during the nymph stage are tiny compared to the adult version which could be harder for an individual to spot. Lyme disease can be a difficult illness to diagnose and treat, and if left untreated, it can lead to serious long term health complications.