What is the disease caused by ticks in humans called? - briefly
Lyme disease is the most common illness humans acquire from tick bites. It results from infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by Ixodes ticks.
What is the disease caused by ticks in humans called? - in detail
The infection transmitted to humans by ticks is most commonly known as Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and related species. The pathogen is introduced during a blood‑feeding bite of infected hard‑tick species, primarily Ixodes scapularis in the eastern United States and Ixodes pacificus in the western region. Other tick‑borne illnesses include anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii), each associated with distinct vectors and geographic ranges.
Early manifestations of the primary disease appear within days to weeks after exposure. A characteristic expanding erythema, often described as a “bull’s‑eye” rash, develops at the bite site in roughly 70 % of cases. Flu‑like symptoms—fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches—accompany the skin lesion. If untreated, the infection may progress to involve joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Arthritis typically presents as intermittent swelling of large joints, most often the knee. Cardiac involvement includes conduction abnormalities such as atrioventricular block. Neurological complications range from meningitis to peripheral facial palsy and radiculopathy.
Laboratory confirmation relies on a two‑tiered serologic algorithm. The initial assay detects antibodies against B. burgdorferi antigens using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or chemiluminescence immunoassay. Positive screens are followed by a Western blot that differentiates IgM and IgG responses. Polymerase chain reaction testing may be employed for joint fluid or cerebrospinal fluid in specific scenarios, though sensitivity varies.
Standard treatment regimens consist of oral doxycycline for 10–21 days in most adult patients, with alternatives such as amoxicillin or cefuroxime for those unable to tolerate tetracyclines. Intravenous ceftriaxone is reserved for severe neurological or cardiac involvement. Early therapy usually resolves symptoms and prevents long‑term sequelae; delayed treatment increases the risk of persistent joint inflammation and neurocognitive deficits.
Preventive measures focus on reducing tick exposure. Recommendations include wearing long sleeves and pants, applying repellents containing DEET or picaridin, performing thorough body checks after outdoor activities, and promptly removing attached ticks with fine‑pointed tweezers. Environmental management involves maintaining low vegetation, using acaricides in high‑risk areas, and monitoring local tick infection rates.
Awareness of the disease’s geographic distribution, prompt recognition of clinical signs, and timely antimicrobial intervention together constitute the most effective strategy for limiting morbidity associated with tick‑borne infections.