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Frequently Asked Questions about Ticks and Lyme Disease


Lyme disease rash

One of the most well-known tick-borne illnesses is Lyme disease. This can be a debilitating illness if not treated, and the sooner that you receive treatment, the better your prognosis. Understanding Lyme disease can help you recognize it and seek treatment right away. Here are five commonly asked questions about Lyme disease.

What Type of Tick Spread Lyme Disease?

According to the article All About Lyme Disease, the blacklegged tick carries Lyme disease. This tick has a brown pattern on the shell and black legs. The adult female and the nymphs are more likely to transmit the disease. If you find the tick on you, you can remove it and keep it to have it identified or tested for Lyme disease.

Does Everyone Get the Bull’s-eye Rash?

While the rash is a common symptom, only three out of four people actually develop the rash. This means that twenty five percent of the people who develop Lyme disease do not get the rash. This can make diagnosing Lyme disease more difficult for people without the rash, and it is important to understand what those symptoms are.

What Are Other Symptoms?

At the onset of the disease, you may have a headache, fever and achy muscles. As the disease progresses, the symptoms will become worse, though the fever may go away. Some of the symptoms may come and go. This can be difficult to diagnoses because you may have good days where you do not feel sick and other days where you can barely move. Your entire body may ache including your muscles, joints and bones.

Is There a Test the Doctor Can Do?

There are two blood tests that doctors will run to check for Lyme disease. The test may have a false negative if Lyme disease is still in early stages. Many doctors will begin treatment before a positive diagnosis based on the symptoms, especially if the bull’s-eye rash is present. The sooner the treatment begins, the more effective it is and the

What Treatments Are Available?

The treatment is a round of antibiotics. The treatment duration is longer than treatments for other illnesses, and it is important to complete the entire round of antibiotics. Sometimes people continue to have symptoms for up to six months afterwards.


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