A mulitsystemic recurrent inflammatory disease, Lyme disease ( also known as Lyme borreliosis or Lyme arthritis) is transmitted by tick bite, with symptoms ranging from skin lesions to chronic arthritis. It is caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium or spiro-chete called Borrelia burgdorferi which ticks, especially the Ixodes variety, collect from the bodies of white-footed field mice and other rodents. The ticks are dispersed by deer and migratory birds. Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose dur to the variety of symptoms. Which are similar to those seen in many other disorders, and to the fact that most suffers do not recall the tick bite. Most recognizable symptom is a rash which may have concentric red rings and is accompanied by chills and fatigue. Days to weeks afterward, there maybe joint pain and problems with the nervous system ot heart, And up to a year later skin disorders, arthritis and neurological problems such as facial palsy may appear. Treatment with antibiotics in the early stages may prevent these later symptoms. However, if the disease has progressed, long - term treatment ( including several weeks of intravenous antibiotics ) may be necessary. People living , traveling or working in tick infested areas should wear light colored long sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, closed shoes,and a hat; and carry tick repellent. No confirmed cases of it causing diabetes.
