Lyme disease

Lyme disease

The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease. The disease is transmitted to humans through tick bites.

A red expanding circle on the skin is the first manifestation. Lyme disease can manifest in later phases as joint swelling or neurological complaints such as nerve pain, facial nerve palsy, or focal neurological deficits. Treatment in the early stage prevents evolution to the later stages. If treated correctly, also in the late stages, outcomes are most of the time good.

The interpretation of blood tests is not easy and false positive tests are not exceptional, especially when these tests are done for symptoms that are not suggestive of Lyme disease (chronic fatigue, general body pains).