What is the disease transmitted by ticks called? - briefly
The illness most commonly spread by ticks is Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It typically presents with a bull's‑eye rash, fever, fatigue, and joint pain.
What is the disease transmitted by ticks called? - in detail
Lyme disease is the most prevalent illness transmitted by ticks. The bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi is introduced into the host during a blood meal of the black‑legged tick (Ixodes scapularis in North America, Ixodes ricinus in Europe). The pathogen migrates from the bite site to the bloodstream, causing systemic infection.
Typical early manifestations appear within three to thirty days after exposure. Common signs include:
- Erythema migrans: expanding red rash with central clearing
- Fever, chills, headache
- Fatigue, muscle and joint aches
If untreated, the infection may progress to later stages, characterized by:
- Multiple erythema migrans lesions
- Neurological involvement (e.g., facial palsy, meningitis, radiculopathy)
- Cardiac complications (e.g., atrioventricular block)
- Migratory arthritis, especially in large joints
Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and serological testing. Enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) followed by Western blot confirmation is the standard protocol. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be employed for synovial fluid or cerebrospinal fluid in specific cases.
First‑line therapy consists of oral doxycycline for adults and children over eight years old, administered for 10–21 days. Alternatives include amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil for patients with contraindications to doxycycline. Intravenous ceftriaxone is reserved for severe neurologic or cardiac involvement.
Prevention focuses on reducing tick exposure and prompt removal of attached ticks. Effective measures comprise:
- Wearing long sleeves and trousers in endemic areas
- Applying repellents containing DEET or picaridin
- Conducting thorough body checks after outdoor activities
- Using fine‑toothed tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pulling steadily
Epidemiologically, Lyme disease is endemic in the northeastern United States, the upper Midwest, and parts of Western Europe and Asia. Incidence peaks in late spring and early summer, coinciding with peak nymphal tick activity. Surveillance data indicate a gradual expansion of the disease’s geographic range, driven by climate change and alterations in wildlife host populations.