Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacterium called a spirochete. A person infected with the spirochete exhibits flu-like symptoms of chills and fever accompanied by aches and pains in muscle and joints. This generally happens within twenty days. There may also be a circular rash where the spirochete was injected. Antibiotic treatment at this stage is usually very effective and the spirochete is killed. However, if the victim is unaware of the severity of the illness, and if the infection is left untreated, there may be neurological and cardiac abnormalities accompanying a new series of rashes weeks or even months after the original infection. This can be followed by damage to the central nervous system producing behavioral malfunctions as well as long term arthritic problems.

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