History of Lyme disease
- First recognized in the town of Lyme, Connecticut in 1975
- Initially identified due to a cluster of children with arthritic symptoms
Bacterial cause and transmission
- Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi
- Transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks
Symptoms and progression
- Early symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and characteristic erythema migrans rash
- If untreated, Lyme disease can progress to affect the joints, heart, and nervous system
Treatment and long-term effects
- Antibiotics are the primary treatment for Lyme disease
- Some individuals may experience lingering symptoms even after treatment, known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)
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