Lyme disease

About Lyme disease

Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by Ixodes ticks in endemic regions of North America and Europe. Early localized disease typically presents as an expanding erythema migrans rash within days to weeks of a bite, often with flu-like symptoms. Early disseminated and late stages can affect the joints, heart, and nervous system. Diagnosis combines clinical features with two-tier serologic testing. Oral doxycycline is first-line for most adults; specific manifestations such as carditis or neuroborreliosis may require IV ceftriaxone.