What to Know About Lyme Disease in

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected tick. It is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

The symptoms of Lyme disease can vary depending on the stage of the infection.

Early stage (3 to 30 days after the bite)

* A bull's-eye rash at the site of the tick bite

* Fever

* Chills

* Fatigue

* Headache

* Muscle aches

* Joint pain

Late stage (weeks to months after the bite)

* Severe headaches

* Neck stiffness

* Facial palsy

* Heart palpitations

* Arthritis

* Nerve damage

Treatment for Lyme disease

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic and the length of treatment will depend on the stage of the infection.

Prevention of Lyme disease

There are several things you can do to prevent Lyme disease, including:

* Wearing long sleeves and pants when you are in areas where ticks are known to live

* Using insect repellent containing DEET

* Checking your body for ticks after spending time outdoors

* Removing ticks promptly and properly

If you think you may have Lyme disease, see your doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications.