What is the disease called that is caused by a tick bite in humans? - briefly
Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common illness transmitted to humans through a tick bite.
What is the disease called that is caused by a tick bite in humans? - in detail
The illness transmitted to humans by tick bites is Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (and, in rare cases, related species such as B. mayonii). The pathogen is introduced when an infected tick, typically a nymph of the black‑legged (deer) tick (Ixodes scapularis) in North America or the castor‑bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) in Europe, attaches to the skin and feeds for 36–48 hours.
Early manifestations appear within 3–30 days and include:
- Erythema migrans: an expanding, often circular rash with central clearing.
- Flu‑like symptoms: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches.
- Neck stiffness and facial nerve palsy in some cases.
If untreated, the infection can progress to disseminated stages, presenting with:
- Multiple erythema migrans lesions.
- Cardiac involvement (Lyme carditis) causing atrioventricular block.
- Neurological complications such as meningitis, radiculopathy, or encephalopathy.
- Arthritis, especially in large joints like the knee.
Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment and laboratory testing. Serologic methods (ELISA followed by Western blot) detect antibodies to Borrelia antigens; PCR may be used on synovial fluid or cerebrospinal fluid for confirmation in later stages.
Recommended therapy consists of antibiotics:
- Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 10–21 days for most adult patients.
- Amoxicillin or cefuroxime for children, pregnant women, or doxycycline‑intolerant individuals.
- Intravenous ceftriaxone for severe cardiac or neurological involvement, typically 14–28 days.
Prevention focuses on reducing tick exposure:
- Wear long sleeves and pants, tuck clothing into socks.
- Apply EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
- Perform thorough body checks after outdoor activities; remove attached ticks promptly with fine‑pointed tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling straight upward.
- Manage habitats by keeping grass short and removing leaf litter.
Epidemiologically, Lyme disease is most prevalent in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with highest incidence in the northeastern United States, the upper Midwest, and parts of Europe and Asia. Seasonal peaks correspond to the active period of nymphal ticks, typically late spring through early fall.