Lyme Disease
(tick-borne borreliosis, Lyme arthritis)

What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a tick-borne inflammatory illness caused by a spirochete (a bacteria like organism) called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans by a specific type of tick, known as the Ixodes tick, that commonly infests wild rodents and deer. While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness reported on the mainland United States, Lyme disease is not found in Hawaii. This is because we do not have the type of tick responsible for transmitting this disease in Hawaii.

How do you get it?
It is believed that the Lyme disease is transmitted only after the tick has bitten and fed on a person for several hours. Thus, individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors where ticks are abundant are at greatest risk of getting Lyme disease. There is no evidence that the disease can be spread from person-to-person.

What are the symptoms of the disease?
Lyme disease usually begins with the appearance of a distinctive red, circular rash at or near the site of the tick bite. Fever, headache, and fatigue occur at the same time as the rash, which may be followed (weeks to months later) by neurologic, heart, or joint abnormalities.

When do symptoms start?
The symptoms often begin within 1 month of being bitten by an infected tick. It is very important to see a doctor promptly if a skin rash develops after a recent tick bite.

What is the treatment for Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a physician.

If you are bitten by a tick, how should it be removed?
To remove an attached tick, grasp it with tweezers as close as possible to the skin surface, then pull up and out with a gentle, steady pressure. If tweezers are not available, use fingers wrapped in tissue paper or gloves; do not handle the tick with the bare hands. Be careful not to squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick as it may contain the spirochete in its body fluids. After removing the tick, thoroughly cleanse the area of the bite. Contact a doctor if all of the body parts of the tick were not removed. It is important that ticks be removed promptly when discovered. Do not attempt to remove ticks by using Vaseline, lit cigarettes, alcohol, or other home remedies.

How do you keep from getting it?
Avoid tick-infested areas if possible. But when going into tick-infested areas, wear clothing that covers the arms and legs. Tuck trouser legs into socks, and shirts into trousers.

Try to prevent ticks from attaching by applying tick repellents (i.e., DEET® or equivalent) to trouser legs and sleeves.

Check the entire body for attached ticks every 3 to 4 hours.