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Lyme disease (LD) is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacterium called a spirochete (pronounced spy-ro-keet) that is carried by deer ticks(Click here for pictures of deer ticks). An infected tick can transmit the spirochete to the humans and animals it bites. Untreated, the bacterium travels through the bloodstream, establishes itself in various body tissues, and can cause a number of symptoms, some of which are severe. In some cases, an erythema migrans (EM) rash appears within 7-14 days at the site of a tick bite (click to see picture of a typical EM rash).
LD manifests itself as a multisystem inflammatory disease that spreads to the joints, nervous system and other organ systems in its later, disseminated stages. If diagnosed and treated early, LD can be cured. However, due to multiple factors (including access to Lyme Literate Doctors, inadequate diagnostic testing, and financial road blocks), most patients will not get the appropriate help they need until they are in the Chronic Late Stage phase. It is important to note that LD can cause permanent damage and even death.
Lyme Disease is complicated, to say the least. It is a controversial topic within the medical community and it is a massively under reported and under researched disease. Lyme sufferers and their families are left to their own devices, and this must change.