Picture of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Ticks harboring the bacteria are found most often on deer, raccoons, weasels, moles, squirrels, horses, field mice, opossums, skunks, and shrews. Most cases of Lyme disease are reported in the northeastern United States in Connecticut, New York, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.

Initial symptoms of Lyme disease may include a red, expanding bulls-eye rash, fatigue, fever, chills, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. Muscle and joint pain may also be present. Later stages of Lyme disease may manifest with neuropathy, nerve problems, and arthritis. Knee pain may be a symptom of advanced Lyme disease.