Naked Science Forum

General Science => Question of the Week => Topic started by: jamest on 04/07/2025 13:38:03

Title: QotW - 25.07.11 - How does one get Lyme disease
Post by: jamest on 04/07/2025 13:38:03

Leonard asks, 'I would like to know about Lyme Disease. How is it acquired and diagnosed?'

Title: Re: QotW - 25.07.11 - How does one get Lyme disease
Post by: paul cotter on 04/07/2025 14:19:08

Lyme disease is caused by a micro-organism, classed as a spirochaete(syphilis is another disease caused by a spirochaete but not related to lyme), called borrelia burgdorferi. The infection is caused by the bite of an infected tick. Frequently but not invariably a bulls-eye rash appears at the site of the bite. Otherwise a general flu-like malaise will occur and a blood test will show antibodies. NONE OF THIS IS TO BE TAKEN AS MEDICAL ADVICE, IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM SEEK THE HELP OF A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.