Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans bitten by infected Deer Ticks. In most cases, a tick must be on your body for 48 hours to spread the bacteria to your blood.
The disease was first reported in the United States in the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975. Cases have now been reported in most parts of the United States. Lyme disease is usually seen during the late spring, summer, and early fall.
There are three stages of Lyme disease. Symptoms may come and go, but start with flu-like symptoms in the early stage and if left untreated can progress to the brain, hearts, and joints in later stages. Anyone who has been bitten by a tick should be watched closely for at least 30 days. (It is important to note that not everyone who is a tick bite will get Lyme disease.)
In certain circumstances, a single dose of antibiotics may be offered to someone soon after being bitten by a tick. Lyme disease is treated with a full course of antibiotics.