Download Lyme Disease Borrelia burgdorferi

Lyme Disease
Borrelia burgdorferi
Marie Rhodes
Vector


Blacklegged tick or
deer tick (northeastern
and north-central US)
Western blacklegged
tick (pacific costal US)
Life Cycle




Takes 2 years
Requires 3 separate
reservoirs (hosts)
Larvae and nymph
commonly found on
small mammals
Adult prefer white-tail
deer
Transmission


Transmitted through the
bit of infected tick
Nymphal stage
responsible for most
cases
Transmission


Bacteria is spread from
bite of infected tick
Infection is reported
worldwide and
throughout the US
Symptoms



Begins a few days to a
few weeks after bite
Appears to be rash
from poison ivy
Soon rash takes on
bulls-eye like
appearance
Treatment



Antibiotics
Quicker the treatment begins, lessens the
severity of later symptoms
Treatment differs depending on stage
Prevention



Dress accordingly
Avoid areas with a lot of
ticks
Check for ticks