Lyme Disease

1. Take the Lyme Disease Quiz
2. Lyme Disease Slideshow Pictures
3. Bad Bugs Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

John Meyerhoff, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

• Lyme Disease Overview
• Lyme Disease Causes
• Lyme Disease Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Questions to Ask the Doctor
• Exams and Tests
• Lyme Disease Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medications
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Lyme Disease from Healthwise
• Take the Lyme Disease Quiz
• Pictures of Lyme Disease - Slideshow
• Pictures of Bad Bugs - Slideshow
• Lyme Disease FAQs
• Viewer Comments: Lyme Disease - Diagnosis
• Viewer Comments: Lyme Disease - Symptoms

Lyme disease, sometimes referred to as Lyme infection, is a bacterial illness, transmitted to humans by the bite of deer ticks (Ixodes ticks) carrying a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease has been reported in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, North Central, and Pacific coastal regions of the United States (see map) and in Europe, where it was first described almost 100 years ago. It is most prevalent in the northeastern states of the United States, with about half of all cases clustered in New York and Connecticut.

Doctors at New Haven's Yale Medical Center first described and named Lyme disease in the United States in the late 1970s. An unexpected number of residents in Lyme, Connecticut, were found to have a "new" and unusual illness.

• Fortunately, less than 5% of tick bites in high-contact areas result in Lyme infections.



• Doctors have learned a great deal about the illness since that original cluster of people was observed. Treatments are available for Lyme disease.

Must Read Articles Related to Lyme Disease

Fever in Adults A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment ...learn more >>

Insect Bites Stings and bites from insects are common. They often result in redness and swelling in the injured area. Sometimes a sting can cause a life-threatening allergic...learn more >>

Skin Rashes in Children Skin rashes in children may be categorized as bacterial, viral, life-threatening, fungal, and parasitic rashes. Oftentimes, the associated symptoms help establi...learn more >>

See the Entire Lyme Disease Topic Guide »