Lyme disease

This is the most known disease one can get after a tick bite.

The bacterium or microbe that causes Lyme is called Borrelia Buradorferi. The tick can get this bacterium from a previous host.

Symptoms:

-          skin rash (also known as erythema migrans) which looks like a red ring that keeps getting bigger and bigger (Lyme Disease does not necessarily give this rash, so it is not something that can be used as a basis to diagnose)

-          fever

-          headache

-          sore throat

-          stiff neck

-          muscle aches

-          fatigue

-          general malaise

If any of these symptoms occur after a bite from a tick, it is very important that you immediately see a doctor because if Lyme is not treated, it can spread to the joints (muscle pain, arthritis), nervous system (meningitis, numbness, tingling, a burning sensation in the extremities, loss of control of one or both sides of the face, severe pain, fatigue, depression) and to the heart. Even eye, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems can develop.

Dangerous is the fact that the first, and simple, symptoms can disappear but after a couple of months, even years, the more serious problems can occur which makes the disease quite severe and chronic.

Treatment: Lyme can be treated with a long period of antibiotics IF spotted early. When you are dealing with the more serious problems, you will probably have to take extended and repeated courses of antibiotics.