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# Lyme Disease
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/lyme_disease_1507100727/
- Published: 2010-07-15T20:27:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:16:54.000Z
- Description: Lyme disease comes from Borrelia burgdorferi, carried by infected blacklegged ticks, and the bacteria may spread through the body over days or weeks. Symptoms may include a bull's-eye rash, fever, headache, muscle pain, stiff neck and swollen joints; some people have no early signs.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Disease, Health News, #vivvo-import

[Lyme disease](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lymedisease.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) is caused by the bacterium *Borrelia burgdorferi* and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. After several days or weeks, the bacteria may spread throughout the body of an infected person. Symptoms may include:

- A skin rash, often resembling a bulls-eye
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Stiff neck
- Swelling of knees and other large joints

Some people have Lyme disease and do not have any early symptoms. Other people have a fever and other "flu-like" symptoms without a rash. Steps can be taken to prevent infection, such as avoiding tick infested areas and applying insect repellant. You may wish to view information about [Lyme disease prevention and control](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/ld%5Fprevent.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org).

For more information on Lyme disease, please visit the [Lyme disease web page](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/?ref=foodconsumer.org) from the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=3788&p%5Fsid=wbqkE%5F4k&p%5Flva=7813&ref=foodconsumer.org).

**Additional Resources:**

- [The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Helps Americans Get Ready for Summer with Insect Repellents](http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/eeffe922a687433c85257359003f5340/1e610295e4437c6385257727004b7dad!OpenDocument?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Insect Repellents: Use and Effectiveness](http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/?ref=foodconsumer.org)