Lyme Disease – What Is It and Why Is Early Recognition Important?
Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This disease is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected ticks. Lyme disease can lead to serious health consequences, especially if it is not recognized and treated in a timely manner.
Ticks are small arachnids that most commonly live in forests, bushes, tall grass, and parks. Due to their small size, they can be difficult to notice on the skin, which means a tick bite may sometimes go unnoticed. Ticks can attach themselves through small skin injuries or natural skin folds.
The bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted to humans when an infected tick remains attached to the skin for longer than 24–48 hours. During this time, the bacteria migrate from the tick’s digestive tract into its saliva and then enter the human bloodstream through the bite.
Lyme disease most commonly occurs in temperate climate zones, where environmental conditions are favorable for ticks. This includes many regions of Europe and North America. The disease is seasonal, with most cases recorded in spring and summer, when ticks are most active and people spend more time outdoors.
Symptoms of Lyme disease may appear from several days to several months after a tick bite and often vary depending on the stage of the disease.
One of the most characteristic early signs is skin redness (erythema), often with a lighter center. This rash typically appears 3–30 days after a tick bite. It is usually painless and does not cause itching, which means it may go unnoticed.
Other early symptoms may include:
general fatigue;
headache;
fever;
muscle and joint pain;
swollen lymph nodes.
If Lyme disease is not treated, it can progress and cause more serious health problems, such as:
recurrent or chronic joint inflammation (especially affecting the knees);
neurological symptoms (numbness, muscle weakness, headaches, paralysis);
heart rhythm disturbances or other cardiac issues.
If any of these symptoms occur after a tick bite, it is essential to seek medical attention.
Lyme disease is usually diagnosed based on:
clinical symptoms;
the patient’s medical history;
laboratory blood tests.
Serological tests detect antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, but in the early stage of the disease they may be negative, as antibodies typically develop only 2–6 weeks after infection.
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, most commonly doxycycline or amoxicillin. The treatment course usually lasts 2–4 weeks. When therapy is started early, most patients recover fully.
In later stages or when complications develop, longer or intravenous antibiotic treatment may be required. A small proportion of patients may experience Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), which is characterized by persistent fatigue, pain, or concentration difficulties even after the infection has been treated.
Prevention of Lyme disease is one of the most important protective measures, especially during the warmer months of the year.
wearing long, light-colored clothing when spending time outdoors;
using tick-repellent products;
avoiding tall grass and dense bushes;
carefully checking the body after being outdoors;
removing attached ticks quickly and correctly;
disinfecting the bite area after tick removal.
It is important to know that removing a tick within the first 24–48 hours significantly reduces the risk of Lyme disease, as the bacteria usually require more time to be transmitted.
Lyme disease is a serious infectious condition, but early recognition, proper treatment, and effective prevention can help avoid severe complications. Responsible behavior in nature and attention to personal health are key steps in reducing the risk of infection.
