Lyme disease can be a persistent infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks.  There are other modes of transmission possible; including vertical transmission from mother to fetus, sexually,  other vectors like certain mosquitos. There is a lot of conflicting information,and as such Lyme Kingston strongly suggests that if you believe yourself to be infected,  Use Safe Sex measures to protect your partner from possible transmission.  

 

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Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks.

Most cases of Lyme disease(uncomplicated by co-infections and/or immune dysfunction) can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.

 

Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, applying pesticides, and reducing tick habitat. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can occasionally transmit other tickborne diseases as well.