Lyme Disease Resource Center Medscape

Description: Lyme Disease is an inflammatory disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, carried primarily by deer tick. If untreated, the infection can spread and cause inflammation in many parts of the body; the joints (which may present as arthritic), heart, and nervous system are mostly affected. Three phases of the disease can be described: early localized, early disseminated, and late disease, although symptoms at each phase can overlap. Symptoms of Lyme disease include rash, flu-like symptoms, migratory joint pain, and neurologic and skin problems. Headache, fatigue, and sleep and mood changes may also be present.