FAQ about Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that spreads to humans and animals through the bite of an infected tick. The species most commonly responsible is the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). The disease itself is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spiral-shaped bacterium (spirochete) and the most common type of Borrelia found in the United States.

Ticks can carry more than just the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. In many cases, a single tick may be infected with multiple pathogens at the same time, meaning one bite can potentially transmit more than one illness.

In addition to Borrelia burgdorferi (the cause of Lyme disease), ticks may carry other disease-causing organisms such as Babesiosis, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Rickettsia. These pathogens are responsible for illnesses like ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and spotted fever rickettsiosis.

Because of this, tick-borne infections are not always limited to Lyme disease alone, and symptoms can sometimes overlap or be more complex when multiple infections occur together.

No, many Lyme Patients don’t recall seeing the erythema migrans rash.

Ticks are present throughout Florida and can be found in forests, grassy fields, trails, and other areas where wildlife is active. Common species include the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), which can carry Lyme disease, the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), and the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). These ticks are most active in spring and summer, but Florida’s warm climate allows them to be present year-round.

Yes, Pennsylvania Research Lab does tick testing where you can send ticks you’ve found for identification and pathogen testing.

In the early stages, Lyme disease can appear similar to the flu, with symptoms such as fatigue, fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

If Lyme disease is left untreated or diagnosed late, it can develop into a chronic, multi-system illness. Early symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and muscle aches may continue, but new symptoms often appear as the infection spreads throughout the body. These can affect a wide range of organ systems. For instance, brain and nervous system involvement may cause memory issues, sleep problems, or mood changes; heart involvement can lead to palpitations or shortness of breath and POTS. Other possible effects include problems with the gastrointestinal, endocrine, musculoskeletal, reproductive, lymphatic, skin, and urinary systems, making late-stage Lyme a complex condition with varied symptoms. Lyme disease is often called “the great imitator” because its symptoms can mimic those of many other conditions.

There are many Lyme-literate doctors across the United States who specialize in diagnosing and treating Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. These healthcare providers often take a more comprehensive and individualized approach to care, especially for patients with complex or chronic symptoms.

Many of these doctors offer telemedicine appointments, making it easier for patients to access expert care regardless of location. This is especially helpful for individuals who do not have a Lyme-literate provider nearby.

Organizations such as the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society provide resources to help patients connect with Lyme-literate healthcare providers.