Lyme-disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is carried by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis), and can be passed from one animal to another. The infection is most commonly found in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and Upper South, but has been detected in every state. In some areas it occurs year-round, but in others it occurs only during certain seasons
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In other areas, such as the West Coast and Florida, it has been found to be seasonally endemic. Lyme disease is recognized as a major health problem in many areas of the United States.
Lyme disease is easily spread through a tick bite. The bite of a deer tick can transmit a number of different illnesses depending on where the animal was infected and the stage of infection when it was infected.
Lyme disease is also linked to multiple other conditions including: arthritis, brain inflammation, heart problems, eye problems, skin issues, and memory loss. Lyme disease may be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble other diseases such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
